At a Glance
The Alfa Romeo 147 has 31 identified common problems across 1 generation, with the 937 (2000-2010) being the most affected generation and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 294K 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 our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Alfa Romeo 147 common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Alfa Romeo 147 generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Alfa Romeo 147 Generations
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Most Common Alfa Romeo 147 MOT Failures
Every reason Alfa Romeo 147 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 | 15.00% |
| 2 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 8.75% |
| 3 | Tyre condition | 7.50% |
| 4 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 6.68% |
| 5 | Brake performance below minimum | 5.92% |
| 6 | Brake pads or linings worn | 5.43% |
| 7 | Front lamp not working | 4.73% |
| 8 | Number plate lamp not working | 4.68% |
| 9 | Stop lamp not working | 4.16% |
| 10 | Windscreen washer not working | 3.62% |
| 11 | Headlamp aim defect | 3.14% |
| 12 | Brake disc or drum worn | 2.48% |
| 13 | Driveshaft fault | 2.47% |
| 14 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 1.56% |
| 15 | Suspension mounting corroded | 1.47% |
| 16 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.26% |
| 17 | Exhaust system fault | 1.20% |
| 18 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 1.18% |
| 19 | Position lamp not working | 1.02% |
| 20 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 0.89% |
| 21 | Fog lamp not working | 0.85% |
| 22 | Rear lamp not working | 0.83% |
| 23 | Track rod end worn | 0.81% |
| 24 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.77% |
| 25 | ABS fault | 0.73% |
| 26 | Front suspension fault | 0.69% |
| 27 | Parking brake condition | 0.68% |
| 28 | Headlamp fault | 0.67% |
| 29 | Horn not working | 0.66% |
| 30 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.64% |
| 31 | Chassis condition | 0.55% |
| 32 | Airbag warning light on | 0.48% |
| 33 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.46% |
| 34 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.44% |
| 35 | Rear suspension fault | 0.43% |
| 36 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.40% |
| 37 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.39% |
| 38 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.38% |
| 39 | Steering rack fault | 0.35% |
| 40 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.30% |
| 41 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.30% |
| 42 | Indicator fault | 0.30% |
| 43 | Seat belt condition | 0.29% |
| 44 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.28% |
| 45 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.25% |
| 46 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.23% |
| 47 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.19% |
| 48 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.18% |
| 49 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.18% |
| 50 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.17% |
| 51 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.17% |
| 52 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.16% |
| 53 | Steering arm worn | 0.15% |
| 54 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.15% |
| 55 | Brake pedal fault | 0.15% |
| 56 | Brake lever fault | 0.13% |
| 57 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.13% |
| 58 | Brake caliper fault | 0.10% |
| 59 | Steering free play excessive | 0.10% |
| 60 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.09% |
| 61 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.09% |
| 62 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.09% |
| 63 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.09% |
| 64 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.07% |
| 65 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.07% |
| 66 | Steering lock fault | 0.06% |
| 67 | Electrical switch fault | 0.06% |
| 68 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.06% |
| 69 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.05% |
| 70 | Steering operation fault | 0.05% |
| 71 | Engine oil leak | 0.05% |
| 72 | Drag link end worn | 0.05% |
| 73 | Body security fault | 0.04% |
| 74 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 75 | Vehicle floor corroded | 0.04% |
| 76 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.04% |
| 77 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.03% |
| 78 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.03% |
| 79 | Passenger seat fault | 0.03% |
| 80 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 81 | Driver seat fault | 0.03% |
| 82 | Driver door fault | 0.03% |
| 83 | Brake fluid leak | 0.03% |
| 84 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.03% |
| 85 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 86 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 87 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.02% |
| 88 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.02% |
| 89 | Passenger airbag fault | 0.02% |
| 90 | Power steering pump fault | 0.02% |
| 91 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 92 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.02% |
| 93 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 94 | Front passenger door fault | 0.01% |
| 95 | Steering column fault | 0.01% |
| 96 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.01% |
| 97 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 98 | Radius arm worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 99 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 100 | Propshaft fault | 0.01% |
| 101 | Additional braking device fault | 0.01% |
| 102 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.01% |
| 103 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | 0.01% |
| 104 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.01% |
| 105 | Power steering ram fault | 0.01% |
| 106 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.01% |
| 107 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 108 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | <0.01% |
| 109 | Brake fluid warning light on | <0.01% |
| 110 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 112 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 113 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 117 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 118 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 120 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 121 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 122 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 123 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 124 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 126 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 134 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Driver airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 137 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 138 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 139 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 140 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 141 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 142 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 143 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 145 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 147 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 154 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 155 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 161 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Passenger hand grip fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 166 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
Showing all 166 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Alfa Romeo 147 MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Alfa Romeo 147, 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 147 problems?
Based on analysis of 294K Alfa Romeo 147 MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 31 identified common problems across 1 generation. The most frequently flagged issue is "Suspension pins, bushes or ball joints worn". Suspension is the most common problem category.
Which Alfa Romeo 147 generation has the most problems?
The Alfa Romeo 147 937 (2000-2010) (2000–2010) has the highest number of identified common problems (38). Click the generation card above for the 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 147?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Alfa Romeo 147 owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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