Alfa Romeo
159
7,380 MOT tests analysed. runs below the UK fleet average — here's where 159s pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 10.3 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
67.2%
Pass-after-fix
4.0%
Fail
27.8%
Avg miles
121,797
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
Diesel cars registered before September 2015 are typically pre-Euro 6 — subject to daily charges in London ULEZ (£12.50), Birmingham CAZ (£8), Bristol CAZ (£9), and Glasgow LEZ. Daily charges if driven in the zone: London £12.50 · Birmingham £8.00 · Bristol £9.00 .
The picture
159: a below-average pass rate worth digging into
Across 5,528 MOT tests, the 159 returns 65.2% first-time pass — well below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a weak handbrake. A broken or weak spring and the strength or continuity of the load bearing round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 118,596, 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 16–26
Around the UK fleet average for insurance cost. 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 →
16–26
out of 50
Top ten reasons for rejection.
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- 01
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
393 occurrences · 5.3% of tests
- 02
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
297 occurrences · 4.0% of tests
- 03
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
271 occurrences · 3.7% of tests
- 04
A tyre cords visible or damaged
235 occurrences · 3.2% of tests
- 05
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
204 occurrences · 2.8% of tests
- 06
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
190 occurrences · 2.6% of tests
- 07
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
183 occurrences · 2.5% of tests
- 08
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
159 occurrences · 2.2% of tests
- 09
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
110 occurrences · 1.5% of tests
- 10
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
107 occurrences · 1.4% 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 3 failures
£200–£430
If every one of this 159'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
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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
4 UK recalls on record.
The 159 has 4 official UK vehicle recalls covering defect details, remedies, and affected build dates.
Buying or keeping a 159?
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 159 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.