2004 · 20 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2004 Alfa Romeo 156 MOT pass rate and common faults

193 MOT tests in 2024. 53.4% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

95Below average
Passed first time53.4%
Failed or needed repairs46.6%
Typical mileage at test99,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 193 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction7.3%
  2. Position lamp: not working6.2%
  3. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect5.2%
  4. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt5.2%
  5. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.6%
  6. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.1%
  7. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed3.1%
    7 marked dangerous
  8. Washers: not working3.1%
  9. Headlamp aim: too high2.6%
  10. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid2.6%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics39.9%
  2. Emissions & leaks18.1%
  3. Body & chassis14.0%
  4. Brakes14.0%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)12.4%
  6. Suspension12.4%
  7. Tyres6.2%
  8. Steering4.7%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened14.5%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm13.5%
  3. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened13.0%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine13.0%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn11.9%

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: malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction. 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 2004 Alfa Romeo 156?

In 2024, 53.4% of 2004 Alfa Romeo 156 cars passed their MOT first time, across 193 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 Alfa Romeo 156?

The most common failure reasons were malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction; position lamp: not working; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2004 Alfa Romeo 156 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 95, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).