MOT failures by make
Alfa Romeo MOT failures for “Condition: has ply or cords exposed”
Alfa Romeo cars failed their MOT on “Condition: has ply or cords exposed” in 2.23% of 146,332 tests in 2023–2024 (3,268 tests) — 1.6 times as often as comparable cars of the same age, mileage and fuel, which would have failed on it in about 1.43% of tests. It is the number 5 most common failure item on Alfa Romeos.
Data to 2024-12-30 · Page updated 2026-09-28 · Publisher: 73 Auto
- Alfa Romeo tests failing on it
- 2.23%
- 3,268 of 146,332 tests, 2023–2024
- Comparable cars
- 1.43%
- national rate at the same age, mileage and fuel
- Observed ÷ expected
- 1.57×
- 73 Auto analysis · rank #5 for Alfa Romeo
How unusual this is for the make
Across all MOT failures, Alfa Romeos fail 1.02× as often as comparable cars. On this item the gap is 1.54× wider than that overall level, so it is a genuine Alfa Romeo pattern rather than a reflection of how often the make fails in general. It is a dangerous defect in the tyres part of the test. Nationally it appears on 1.36% of MOT tests.
Alfa Romeo models and “Condition: has ply or cords exposed”
The Alfa Romeo Giulia is most affected (3.09× comparable cars); the Alfa Romeo MiTo least (1.36×). Every model listed is above the national rate, so the pattern runs across the range. Model rows compare with cars of the same age and fuel.
| Model | Tests | Failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alfa Romeo Giulia | 12,881 | 2.76% | 3.09× |
| Alfa Romeo Giulietta | 52,254 | 2.53% | 1.71× |
| Alfa Romeo MiTo | 39,892 | 1.93% | 1.36× |
By age at test
The difference is largest at 5-6 years old: 2.05% of Alfa Romeo tests against 0.98% for comparable cars.
| Age (years) | Alfa Romeo tests | Alfa Romeo | Comparable cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 10,663 | 1.43% | 0.84% |
| 5-6 | 16,573 | 2.05% | 0.98% |
| 7-8 | 18,660 | 2.07% | 1.14% |
| 9-10 | 19,493 | 2.34% | 1.44% |
| 11-12 | 27,848 | 2.62% | 1.79% |
| 13-15 | 29,617 | 2.71% | 1.86% |
| 16+ | 20,807 | 1.75% | 1.29% |
Other Alfa Romeo MOT faults that stand out
- Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements · 2.11× comparable cars
- Side repeaters: not working · 2.82× comparable cars
- Position lamp: not working · 0.39× comparable cars
- Coil spring: fractured or broken · 1.54× comparable cars
Limitations
Official data: DVSA's anonymised MOT results (2023–2024), class 4 initial tests, cars at least 2.5 years old. 73 Auto analysis: the comparison rate applies the national rate of this item for each test's own age, mileage band and fuel to the Alfa Romeo tests. An MOT result reflects maintenance, mileage and how a car is used as well as its design, so this is not a measure of which make is most reliable. The wording of the defect is DVSA's.
Has this Alfa Romeo failed on it before?
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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.