Alfa Romeo
156
2,393 MOT tests analysed. runs below the UK fleet average — here's where 156s pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 8.9 points below the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — buyers should expect more first-time fails than the typical UK car.
Pass
68.6%
Pass-after-fix
5.3%
Fail
25.0%
Avg miles
100,229
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
This model's production run straddles the January 2006 Euro 4 cutoff. Individual cars vary — check your registration plate on the government's ULEZ checker. Daily charges if driven in the zone: London £12.50 · Birmingham £8.00 .
The picture
156: a below-average pass rate worth digging into
Across 1,806 MOT tests, the 156 returns 65.9% first-time pass — well below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is headlamp aim out of spec. A split CV-joint boot and a lamp out round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 103,927, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
ABI Insurance Group
Group 14–22
Below the fleet average — generally reasonable to insure. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.
Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →
14–22
out of 50
Top ten reasons for rejection.
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- 01
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
100 occurrences · 4.2% of tests
- 02
Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective
82 occurrences · 3.4% of tests
- 03
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
70 occurrences · 2.9% of tests
- 04
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
66 occurrences · 2.8% of tests
- 05
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
65 occurrences · 2.7% of tests
- 06
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
64 occurrences · 2.7% of tests
- 07
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
61 occurrences · 2.5% of tests
- 08
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
50 occurrences · 2.1% of tests
- 09
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
49 occurrences · 2.0% of tests
- 10
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
47 occurrences · 2.0% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 2 failures
£20–£160
If every one of this 156's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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Tools that pre-empt a retest.
Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
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Parts & supplies for this fix
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Summit
Summit ADRG-238 Alfa Romeo Replacement Stick-On Tinted Mirror Glass LHS
£8.79
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Summit
Summit ADRG-380 Alfa Romeo Replacement Stick-On Tinted Mirror Glass RHS
£9.89
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Summit
Summit ADRG-381 Alfa Romeo Replacement Stick-On Tinted Mirror Glass LHS
£12.09
View at My Motor World →
Summit
Summit ADRG-383 Alfa Romeo Replacement Stick-On Tinted Mirror Glass RHS
£12.09
View at My Motor World →
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Recall history
7 UK recalls on record.
The 156 has 7 official UK vehicle recalls covering defect details, remedies, and affected build dates.
Buying or keeping a 156?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a 156 and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.