2002 · 22 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2002 Alfa Romeo 156 MOT pass rate and common faults

184 MOT tests in 2024. 60.3% passed first time, compared with 58.1% for all cars the same age.

104Above average
Passed first time60.3%
Failed or needed repairs39.7%
Typical mileage at test102,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 184 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.3%
  2. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault4.3%
  3. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed3.8%
    13 marked dangerous
  4. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.8%
  5. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.8%
  6. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength3.3%
  7. Position lamp: not working3.3%
  8. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault2.7%
  9. Rigid brake pipes: leaking on a hydraulic braking system2.7%
    7 marked dangerous
  10. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.7%

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes27.2%
  2. Lights & electrics23.9%
  3. Suspension13.6%
  4. Body & chassis10.9%
  5. Tyres8.7%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.7%
  7. Emissions & leaks8.2%
  8. Seat belts & airbags7.6%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm13.0%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine11.4%
  3. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases10.3%
  4. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened10.3%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened9.8%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. 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 2002 Alfa Romeo 156?

In 2024, 60.3% of 2002 Alfa Romeo 156 cars passed their MOT first time, across 184 tests. The average for all 22-year-old cars was 58.1%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2002 Alfa Romeo 156?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; srs malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2002 Alfa Romeo 156 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 104, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).