MOT failures by make
Alfa Romeo MOT faults: which failures are more common than on similar cars
Across 146,332 MOT tests of Alfa Romeo cars in 2023–2024, 5 of the make's most common failure items stand out against cars of the same age, mileage and fuel, led by “Side repeaters: not working” at 2.82× the comparable rate. Overall Alfa Romeos passed 67.6% of tests and failed 1.02× as often as comparable cars.
Data to 2024-12-30 · Page updated 2026-09-28 · Publisher: 73 Auto
- Alfa Romeo MOT tests
- 146,332
- 76,595 cars, 2023–2024
- Initial pass rate
- 67.6%
- DVSA results, retests excluded
- Faults that stand out
- 5
- passed the make × item gate
Failures more common on Alfa Romeos than on similar cars
Each links to the model-by-model and age breakdown for Alfa Romeo.
- Side repeaters: not working · 2.82× · 1.31% of tests
- Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements · 2.11× · 2.77% of tests
- Condition: has ply or cords exposed · 1.57× · 2.23% of tests
- Coil spring: fractured or broken · 1.54× · 4.31% of tests
Failures less common on Alfa Romeos
Common failure items where Alfa Romeos do clearly better than comparable cars, beyond the make's overall level.
- Position lamp: not working · 0.39× · 1.24% of tests
Alfa Romeo’s most common MOT failure items
Ranked by how many Alfa Romeo tests failed on each item. The last column compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel (1.00 = the same rate).
| Defect item | Rank | Tests failing | Share | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | #1 | 6,312 | 4.31% | 1.54× |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | #2 | 4,075 | 2.78% | 1.06× |
| Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements | #3 | 4,059 | 2.77% | 2.11× |
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam | #4 | 3,360 | 2.30% | 1.34× |
| Condition: has ply or cords exposed | #5 | 3,268 | 2.23% | 1.57× |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | #6 | 3,112 | 2.13% | 1.29× |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | #7 | 2,957 | 2.02% | 1.03× |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | #8 | 2,894 | 1.98% | 1.40× |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | #9 | 2,176 | 1.49% | 0.69× |
| Headlamp aim: too low | #10 | 2,125 | 1.45% | 1.09× |
| Side repeaters: not working | #11 | 1,924 | 1.31% | 2.82× |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction | #12 | 1,906 | 1.30% | 1.19× |
| Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases | #13 | 1,811 | 1.24% | 1.20× |
| Position lamp: not working | #14 | 1,810 | 1.24% | 0.39× |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | #15 | 1,779 | 1.22% | 0.81× |
How to use this
The list shows what a Alfa Romeo is more likely than other cars to fail on, which is where to look on a pre-MOT check or a used-car inspection. The model pages break the same data down further — see Alfa Romeo MOT pass rates by model.
Limitations
Official data: DVSA anonymised MOT results (2023–2024). 73 Auto analysis: expected failures apply the national rate of each item for the test's age, mileage band and fuel. MOT results reflect maintenance and use as well as design; they do not rank makes by reliability.
Check a Alfa Romeo’s MOT history before you buy
Enter a registration to see which of these faults that particular car has failed or been advised on, and what it costs to run. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
UK number plate or 17-character VIN
Where these figures come from
- Anonymised MOT tests and results (2023 and 2024) — Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). Open Government Licence v3.0.
Figures labelled as 73 Auto estimates are our own analysis of these sources, set out in the methodology and data sources. To report a factual error, see corrections.