At a Glance
The Alfa Romeo 159 has 14 identified common problems across 1 generation, with the 939 (2005-2011) being the most affected generation and tyres & wheels the most common problem category. Based on 106K 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 159 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 159 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 159 Generations
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Most Common Alfa Romeo 159 MOT Failures
Every reason Alfa Romeo 159 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 | 13.56% |
| 2 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 9.93% |
| 3 | Brake performance below minimum | 8.28% |
| 4 | Tyre condition | 4.96% |
| 5 | Number plate lamp not working | 4.81% |
| 6 | Windscreen washer not working | 4.81% |
| 7 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 4.31% |
| 8 | Brake pads or linings worn | 4.22% |
| 9 | Headlamp aim defect | 3.94% |
| 10 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 3.42% |
| 11 | Front lamp not working | 2.81% |
| 12 | Position lamp not working | 2.65% |
| 13 | Stop lamp not working | 2.55% |
| 14 | Driveshaft fault | 1.79% |
| 15 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.62% |
| 16 | Exhaust system fault | 1.54% |
| 17 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.35% |
| 18 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.28% |
| 19 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 1.25% |
| 20 | Track rod end worn | 1.16% |
| 21 | Indicator fault | 1.08% |
| 22 | Headlamp fault | 1.08% |
| 23 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.95% |
| 24 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.85% |
| 25 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.77% |
| 26 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 0.67% |
| 27 | Parking brake condition | 0.65% |
| 28 | Steering rack fault | 0.65% |
| 29 | Front suspension fault | 0.59% |
| 30 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.58% |
| 31 | Fog lamp not working | 0.57% |
| 32 | Steering free play excessive | 0.49% |
| 33 | Rear lamp not working | 0.47% |
| 34 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.46% |
| 35 | Seat belt condition | 0.45% |
| 36 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.43% |
| 37 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.41% |
| 38 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.41% |
| 39 | ABS fault | 0.38% |
| 40 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.37% |
| 41 | Brake lever fault | 0.34% |
| 42 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.32% |
| 43 | Chassis condition | 0.32% |
| 44 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.32% |
| 45 | Airbag warning light on | 0.30% |
| 46 | Horn not working | 0.28% |
| 47 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 0.26% |
| 48 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.26% |
| 49 | Rear suspension fault | 0.24% |
| 50 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.23% |
| 51 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.23% |
| 52 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.23% |
| 53 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.22% |
| 54 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.22% |
| 55 | Drag link end worn | 0.22% |
| 56 | Steering arm worn | 0.20% |
| 57 | Brake caliper fault | 0.20% |
| 58 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.18% |
| 59 | Engine oil leak | 0.18% |
| 60 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.17% |
| 61 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.16% |
| 62 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.15% |
| 63 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.15% |
| 64 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.15% |
| 65 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.14% |
| 66 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.12% |
| 67 | Brake pedal fault | 0.09% |
| 68 | Steering lock fault | 0.09% |
| 69 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.09% |
| 70 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.09% |
| 71 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.09% |
| 72 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.08% |
| 73 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.07% |
| 74 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.07% |
| 75 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.06% |
| 76 | Electrical switch fault | 0.06% |
| 77 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.05% |
| 78 | Propshaft fault | 0.05% |
| 79 | Passenger seat fault | 0.05% |
| 80 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.05% |
| 81 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.04% |
| 82 | Steering operation fault | 0.04% |
| 83 | Driver door fault | 0.04% |
| 84 | Brake fluid leak | 0.04% |
| 85 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.04% |
| 86 | Front passenger door fault | 0.03% |
| 87 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 88 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.03% |
| 89 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 90 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 91 | Power steering ram fault | 0.02% |
| 92 | Exhaust leak | 0.02% |
| 93 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.02% |
| 94 | Body security fault | 0.02% |
| 95 | Power steering pump fault | 0.02% |
| 96 | Additional braking device fault | 0.02% |
| 97 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 98 | Driver airbag fault | 0.02% |
| 99 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.02% |
| 100 | Hydraulic fluid leak | 0.01% |
| 101 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | 0.01% |
| 102 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.01% |
| 103 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 104 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 105 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 106 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 107 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 108 | Driver seat fault | <0.01% |
| 109 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 110 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 114 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Steering column fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 119 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 122 | Brake fluid warning light on | <0.01% |
| 123 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 125 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Spring mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 130 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 131 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 133 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 134 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 135 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 142 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 143 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 148 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 150 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 150 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Alfa Romeo 159 MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Alfa Romeo 159, 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 159 problems?
Based on analysis of 106K Alfa Romeo 159 MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 14 identified common problems across 1 generation. The most frequently flagged issue is "Coil spring broken or corroded". Tyres & Wheels is the most common problem category.
Which Alfa Romeo 159 generation has the most problems?
The Alfa Romeo 159 939 (2005-2011) (2005–2011) has the highest number of identified common problems (19). 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 159?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Alfa Romeo 159 owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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