2010 · 14 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2010 Alfa Romeo 159 MOT pass rate and common faults

643 MOT tests in 2024. 55.0% passed first time, compared with 59.6% for all cars the same age.

92Below average
Passed first time55.0%
Failed or needed repairs45.0%
Typical mileage at test118,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 643 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements9.8%
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.6%
  3. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed4.5%
    42 marked dangerous
  4. On or after 01/07/2008: emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit4.0%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm4.0%
    53 marked dangerous
  6. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.1%
  7. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.1%
  8. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength3.0%
  9. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.6%
  10. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.6%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension24.9%
  2. Brakes24.0%
  3. Lights & electrics21.5%
  4. Tyres11.7%
  5. Emissions & leaks11.4%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.6%
  7. Body & chassis5.4%
  8. Steering4.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm26.3%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine22.2%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened12.0%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick8.6%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn8.2%

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: 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.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2010 Alfa Romeo 159?

In 2024, 55.0% of 2010 Alfa Romeo 159 cars passed their MOT first time, across 643 tests. The average for all 14-year-old cars was 59.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2010 Alfa Romeo 159?

The most common failure reasons were rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; coil spring: fractured or broken; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2010 Alfa Romeo 159 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 92, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).