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Alfa Romeo 147 car check

Find out if a Alfa Romeo 147 has outstanding finance, has been written off or stolen, how many owners it’s had, and which known problems apply to the generation you’re looking at.

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. Results in under a minute.

MOT failure rate
29.9%95k tests
Known problems
10across 937
Full report
£7.49one-off, no subscription

Which 147 are you looking at?

Each 147 generation has its own weak spots. Here are the known problems.

  1. Timing belt service

    Safety risk All

    The Twin Spark petrol engines (1.6 and 2.0) require a timing belt change every 36,000 miles or 3 years, whichever comes first. Age is the critical factor as belts degrade even on low-mileage cars that are not driven regularly. The water pump should be replaced at the same time as a preventive measure. This is an interference engine; belt failure causes catastrophic valve and piston damage.

    What to check: Check service history for date and mileage of last timing belt change. If no record exists, assume it has not been done. If the cam cover or belt cover can be inspected, look for cracking, glazing, or fraying on the belt surface. Check the water pump weep hole area for coolant residue, which indi...

  2. Timing belt service

    Safety risk All

    The 1.9 JTD diesel engine requires a timing belt change every 60,000 miles or 4 years, whichever comes first. While some guidelines suggest 72,000 miles, Alfa specialists strongly advise the shorter interval. The water pump should be replaced at the same time. This is an interference engine; belt failure causes catastrophic damage.

    What to check: Check service history for date and mileage of last timing belt change. If no record exists, assume it has not been done. Inspect the belt cover area for any coolant weeping from the water pump. Check for oil contamination around the belt area, which can degrade the belt prematurely.

  3. Timing belt service

    Safety risk All

    The 3.2 V6 Busso engine requires a timing belt change every 60,000 miles or 4 years, whichever comes first. The water pump should be replaced at the same time. The Busso V6 is an interference engine; belt failure causes catastrophic damage. The V6 belt job is more involved than the Twin Spark due to the engine layout.

    What to check: Check service history for date and mileage of last timing belt change. The V6 belt job is expensive so some owners defer it. Check the water pump area for coolant residue. Inspect the auxiliary belt at the same time for cracking or glazing.

  4. Oil level management — big end bearing risk

    Safety risk All

    Twin Spark engines are sensitive to oil level. Running below the minimum mark on the dipstick risks damage to the big end bearings. Oil should be checked regularly and maintained at the correct level. These engines can consume oil, particularly at higher mileages, so a low reading does not necessarily indicate a leak.

    What to check: Check the dipstick with the car on level ground. Oil level must be between the minimum and maximum marks. Below the minimum is a concern. Check oil condition — it should not be black and gritty. Look under the car for any oil drips or staining that indicate an active leak.

  5. Floorpan rust

    Safety risk All

    The 147, along with the 156 and GT, is prone to floorpan corrosion. The affected area spans the entire underside from the front subframe to the rear. There is no correlation between mileage and severity. Surface rust progresses rapidly if untreated. Check for previous underseal repairs.

    What to check: Inspect the entire floorpan from underneath, from the front subframe mounting area all the way to the rear. Pay attention to seam welds and panel joints where moisture collects. Check for fresh underseal that may have been applied to conceal existing corrosion — tap with a screwdriver to check fo...

  6. Turbo failure

    Engine damage risk All

    The turbocharger on the 1.9 JTD diesel engine can fail due to bearing wear, oil starvation, or foreign object ingestion. Oil feed and return line condition is critical to turbo longevity.

    What to check: Check for oil leaks or residue around the turbo housing and oil feed/return lines. Check the turbo intake piping for oil contamination, which indicates worn turbo seals. Try to feel for shaft play in the turbo by reaching the compressor wheel through the intake — any noticeable movement indicates...

  7. Cam variator failure

    Engine damage risk All

    The cam variator on the 1.6 120hp and 2.0 Twin Spark engines wears over time. It is not a mandatory replacement item with the timing belt service, but replacing it at the same time is recommended as a preventive measure. The variator is not fitted to the 1.6 105hp model.

    What to check: Check service history for variator replacement. If it has been done with a timing belt service, this is a positive sign. The variator itself is not externally visible without removing the cam cover.

  8. Thermostat failure

    Engine damage risk All

    The thermostat on Twin Spark engines can fail, typically sticking open. This prevents the engine from reaching its normal operating temperature of approximately 90 degrees Celsius in a reasonable time.

    What to check: No external signs when the engine is cold.

  9. Spark plug replacement

    Engine damage risk All

    Twin Spark engines use two spark plugs per cylinder, doubling the replacement quantity. The 1.6 105hp model requires replacement every 36,000 miles. The 1.6 120hp and 2.0 models require replacement every 60,000 miles. Due to the dual-plug design, the parts cost is higher than a standard four-cylinder engine. Check service history for evidence of replacement.

    What to check: Check service history for last spark plug replacement date and mileage. If plugs can be accessed, check electrode condition and gap.

  10. Front upper wishbone wear

    Wear item All

    The front upper wishbone bushes and ball joints wear over time, causing noise and affecting front-end geometry. This is a common wear item on the 147's front suspension.

    What to check: If the car can be inspected on a ramp or with wheels off the ground, check the upper wishbone ball joints for play by levering with a pry bar. Inspect the wishbone bushes for cracking, perishing, or separation from the housing. Check for uneven front tyre wear, which may indicate worn wishbones a...

147 MOT results

29.9%

of 147 MOT tests end in a fail, from 94,979 tests.

Most common reasons for failing

  1. Cable, rod or joint insecureBrakes
  2. Body panel damageBodywork
  3. Cable damaged or knottedBrakes

Check the 147 you’re buying

One report covers outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and previous owners from Experian, plus MOT history, mileage and the known problems for its generation.

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian.

What the check includes

147 questions

Is the Alfa Romeo 147 reliable?

29.9% of 147 models fail their MOT based on 94,979 tests analysed. That’s below average for the class. There are 10 known problems to watch for, the most serious being timing belt service. A full history check shows whether a specific car has had related write-offs or insurance claims.

What are the main problems with a Alfa Romeo 147?

The most serious known issues are timing belt service, timing belt service, timing belt service. Our car check flags whether a specific 147 has been written off or had insurance claims linked to these faults.

How do I check if a Alfa Romeo 147 has outstanding finance?

Enter the registration on this page. We query Experian’s finance database and return any outstanding agreements within a minute. If finance is still owed, the finance company can legally repossess the car even after you’ve paid the seller. At £7.49 it’s the cheapest way to avoid a car that isn’t legally for sale.

How do I check if a Alfa Romeo 147 has been written off?

Our check queries Experian’s insurance write-off database for Cat A, B, S and N markers. A Cat S or N 147 has been structurally or non-structurally damaged and repaired. This doesn’t mean it’s unsafe, but it affects resale value and some insurers won’t cover it. The check costs £7.49.

Can I check a Alfa Romeo 147 for free?

You can check MOT history free on GOV.UK, which shows past test results and advisories. What it won’t show is outstanding finance, write-offs or theft markers, which are the things that actually cost you money after you’ve bought. Our full check adds all of that for £7.49, using Experian data.

Is a Alfa Romeo 147 HPI check worth it?

HPI is one brand of car check. Our check uses the same Experian data covering finance, stolen, write-off and keeper history, plus MOT analysis and known 147 faults that HPI doesn’t include. At £7.49 it’s typically less than half the price of an HPI check.

What does a Alfa Romeo 147 fail its MOT on?

The most common MOT failure on the 147 is cable, rod or joint insecure. 29.9% of 147 models fail overall, based on 94,979 tests. Checking a car’s full MOT history before buying shows you recurring problems the seller might not mention.

More on the 147

Other Alfa Romeo car checks

Alfa Romeo 15632.2% MOT failure rate Alfa Romeo 15928.1% MOT failure rate Alfa Romeo Brera25.1% MOT failure rate Alfa Romeo Giulia12.8% MOT failure rate Alfa Romeo Giulietta22.1% MOT failure rate Alfa Romeo Gt30.9% MOT failure rate

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. MOT data from DVSA. Known problems from GetCarWise analysis. Updated October 2026.