2006 · 18 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2006 Alfa Romeo 159 MOT pass rate and common faults

199 MOT tests in 2024. 54.8% passed first time, compared with 56.1% for all cars the same age.

98Below average
Passed first time54.8%
Failed or needed repairs45.2%
Typical mileage at test113,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 199 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken10.6%
  2. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements8.0%
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn6.5%
  4. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction6.0%
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed6.0%
    18 marked dangerous
  6. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength4.0%
  7. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened3.5%
  8. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.0%
  9. Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side3.0%
  10. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.0%
    8 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension34.2%
  2. Brakes25.1%
  3. Lights & electrics18.1%
  4. Emissions & leaks14.6%
  5. Tyres12.6%
  6. Body & chassis9.0%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.5%
  8. Steering5.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm23.1%
  2. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened15.1%
  3. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine12.1%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened12.1%
  5. Service brake performance: excessively binding11.6%

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: coil spring: fractured or broken. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

All 159 years2007 159 →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2006 Alfa Romeo 159?

In 2024, 54.8% of 2006 Alfa Romeo 159 cars passed their MOT first time, across 199 tests. The average for all 18-year-old cars was 56.1%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2006 Alfa Romeo 159?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2006 Alfa Romeo 159 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 98, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).