2008 · 16 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2008 Alfa Romeo 147 MOT pass rate and common faults

366 MOT tests in 2024. 54.4% passed first time, compared with 56.9% for all cars the same age.

96Below average
Passed first time54.4%
Failed or needed repairs45.6%
Typical mileage at test99,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 366 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn9.8%
  2. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements6.3%
  3. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength4.4%
  4. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn4.4%
  5. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.1%
  6. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.3%
    18 marked dangerous
  7. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed3.3%
    15 marked dangerous
  8. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.3%
  9. Horn: not working3.0%
  10. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam3.0%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Suspension36.3%
  2. Lights & electrics24.3%
  3. Brakes20.2%
  4. Body & chassis13.4%
  5. Tyres11.5%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)11.2%
  7. Emissions & leaks7.7%
  8. Steering5.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm21.9%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened21.6%
  3. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine11.5%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn10.9%
  5. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened7.7%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2008 Alfa Romeo 147?

In 2024, 54.4% of 2008 Alfa Romeo 147 cars passed their MOT first time, across 366 tests. The average for all 16-year-old cars was 56.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2008 Alfa Romeo 147?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2008 Alfa Romeo 147 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 96, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).