At a Glance
Alfa Romeo has 122 identified common problems across 34 models, with the Mito being the most affected model and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 1.6M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read how we identify common car problems →
Below: per-model breakdowns of Alfa Romeo common problems, MOT failure rates by category, pass-rate data, and repair patterns drawn from 1.6M DVSA MOT tests across 20 years. Click any model to see generation-specific issues, mileage-banded fault patterns, and the most common MOT failures recorded by UK testers.
MOT Tests & Failures by Model
Top Alfa Romeo models by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that model's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Alfa Romeo Common Problems by Model
Select a model to see problems by generation
Showing top 9 by MOT test volume — search to find any of 34 Alfa Romeo models.
156
Most common: Suspension
147
Most common: Suspension
Giulietta
Most common: Tyres & Wheels
Mito
Most common: Brakes
159
Most common: Tyres & Wheels
Spider
Most common: Brakes
Gt
Most common: Suspension
Gtv
Most common: Brakes
Brera
Most common: Tyres & Wheels
Most Common Alfa Romeo MOT Failures
Every reason Alfa Romeo vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 12.13% |
| 2 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 8.12% |
| 3 | Tyre condition | 6.88% |
| 4 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 6.62% |
| 5 | Number plate lamp not working | 5.23% |
| 6 | Brake performance below minimum | 5.04% |
| 7 | Brake pads or linings worn | 4.76% |
| 8 | Windscreen washer not working | 4.15% |
| 9 | Stop lamp not working | 3.27% |
| 10 | Front lamp not working | 3.15% |
| 11 | Headlamp aim defect | 3.10% |
| 12 | Brake disc or drum worn | 2.92% |
| 13 | Exhaust system fault | 2.87% |
| 14 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 2.60% |
| 15 | Driveshaft fault | 2.39% |
| 16 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 1.79% |
| 17 | Suspension mounting corroded | 1.27% |
| 18 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 1.22% |
| 19 | Position lamp not working | 1.08% |
| 20 | Headlamp fault | 1.04% |
| 21 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.02% |
| 22 | Track rod end worn | 0.92% |
| 23 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 0.91% |
| 24 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.86% |
| 25 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.77% |
| 26 | Indicator fault | 0.74% |
| 27 | Fog lamp not working | 0.74% |
| 28 | Rear lamp not working | 0.72% |
| 29 | Parking brake condition | 0.70% |
| 30 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.64% |
| 31 | Airbag warning light on | 0.62% |
| 32 | Chassis condition | 0.62% |
| 33 | Horn not working | 0.58% |
| 34 | ABS fault | 0.52% |
| 35 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.51% |
| 36 | Steering rack fault | 0.50% |
| 37 | Rear suspension fault | 0.49% |
| 38 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.45% |
| 39 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.37% |
| 40 | Front suspension fault | 0.36% |
| 41 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.36% |
| 42 | Seat belt condition | 0.34% |
| 43 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.32% |
| 44 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.28% |
| 45 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.28% |
| 46 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.24% |
| 47 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.22% |
| 48 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.22% |
| 49 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.22% |
| 50 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.21% |
| 51 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.19% |
| 52 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.17% |
| 53 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.17% |
| 54 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.16% |
| 55 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.16% |
| 56 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.15% |
| 57 | Brake caliper fault | 0.15% |
| 58 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.14% |
| 59 | Brake lever fault | 0.14% |
| 60 | Brake pedal fault | 0.13% |
| 61 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.13% |
| 62 | Electrical switch fault | 0.13% |
| 63 | Brake fluid leak | 0.13% |
| 64 | Steering free play excessive | 0.12% |
| 65 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.12% |
| 66 | Steering arm worn | 0.11% |
| 67 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.11% |
| 68 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.11% |
| 69 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.10% |
| 70 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.09% |
| 71 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.09% |
| 72 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.08% |
| 73 | Drag link end worn | 0.07% |
| 74 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.07% |
| 75 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.07% |
| 76 | Engine oil leak | 0.07% |
| 77 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.07% |
| 78 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.07% |
| 79 | Steering operation fault | 0.06% |
| 80 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.06% |
| 81 | Steering lock fault | 0.06% |
| 82 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.06% |
| 83 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.05% |
| 84 | Driver airbag fault | 0.05% |
| 85 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.04% |
| 86 | Body security fault | 0.04% |
| 87 | Steering column fault | 0.04% |
| 88 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.04% |
| 89 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.03% |
| 90 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.03% |
| 91 | Driver seat fault | 0.03% |
| 92 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.03% |
| 93 | Vehicle floor corroded | 0.03% |
| 94 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 95 | Front passenger door fault | 0.03% |
| 96 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 97 | Driver door fault | 0.03% |
| 98 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.02% |
| 99 | Propshaft fault | 0.02% |
| 100 | Passenger seat fault | 0.02% |
| 101 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.02% |
| 102 | Steering box fault | 0.02% |
| 103 | CV joint worn | 0.02% |
| 104 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 105 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 106 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | 0.02% |
| 107 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 108 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.02% |
| 109 | Passenger airbag fault | 0.02% |
| 110 | Additional braking device fault | 0.01% |
| 111 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.01% |
| 112 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.01% |
| 113 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.01% |
| 114 | Power steering ram fault | 0.01% |
| 115 | Exhaust leak | 0.01% |
| 116 | Power steering pump fault | 0.01% |
| 117 | Electric power steering fault | 0.01% |
| 118 | Speedometer fault | 0.01% |
| 119 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 120 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 121 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 125 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 126 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 131 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 132 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 135 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 139 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 140 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 142 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 144 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 145 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 146 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 149 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 150 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 156 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 158 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 162 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 163 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 164 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 166 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 168 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 169 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 170 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 172 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 173 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 175 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 177 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 178 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 179 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 181 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 182 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 183 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 184 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 185 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 186 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 187 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 188 | Steering head bearings worn | <0.01% |
| 189 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 190 | Passenger hand grip fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 190 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Alfa Romeo MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for Alfa Romeo, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Alfa Romeo problems?
Based on analysis of 1.6M Alfa Romeo MOT tests from DVSA data, Alfa Romeo has 122 identified common problems across 34 models. The Alfa Romeo Mito has the most recorded problems. Suspension issues are the most common category.
Which Alfa Romeo model has the most problems?
By total identified common problems, the Alfa Romeo Mito has the highest count with 35 problems. This is partly because it is one of the more popular Alfa Romeo models on UK roads. See the models grid for a full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Alfa Romeo?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Alfa Romeo owners spot problems early. We review all submissions before they are published.
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