2008 · 16 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2008 Alfa Romeo 159 MOT pass rate and common faults

628 MOT tests in 2024. 56.7% passed first time, compared with 56.9% for all cars the same age.

100About average
Passed first time56.7%
Failed or needed repairs43.3%
Typical mileage at test124,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 628 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements9.7%
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken6.4%
  3. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength4.3%
  4. Service brake performance: excessively binding3.7%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.3%
    40 marked dangerous
  6. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.2%
  7. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.0%
  8. Position lamp: not working2.9%
  9. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.7%
    24 marked dangerous
  10. Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side2.7%

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes27.5%
  2. Suspension26.8%
  3. Lights & electrics20.7%
  4. Emissions & leaks11.0%
  5. Tyres9.6%
  6. Body & chassis9.2%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.7%
  8. Steering4.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm24.2%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine15.3%
  3. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened11.3%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened10.7%
  5. Service brake performance: excessively binding8.4%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year is about as good as an average car its age. Before buying, check the area that fails most: rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2007 159All 159 years2009 159 →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2008 Alfa Romeo 159?

In 2024, 56.7% of 2008 Alfa Romeo 159 cars passed their MOT first time, across 628 tests. The average for all 16-year-old cars was 56.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2008 Alfa Romeo 159?

The most common failure reasons were rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; coil spring: fractured or broken; component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2008 Alfa Romeo 159 reliable at MOT time?

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