Alfa Romeo 156 car check
Find out if a Alfa Romeo 156 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
- 32.2%92k tests
- Known problems
- 5across 936
- Full report
- £7.49one-off, no subscription
Which 156 are you looking at?
Each 156 generation has its own weak spots. Here are the known problems.
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Structural corrosion reducing rigidity
Safety risk 936The 156 suffers from severe structural corrosion that compromises the vehicle's structural integrity. The corrosion typically affects sills, floor pans, and areas around suspension mounting points. This is a progressive failure that worsens significantly with age and mileage, particularly affecting 1.7 petrol and 1.9 diesel variants. The issue is structural, not cosmetic surface rust.
What to check: Inspect the sills (the panels below the doors) from both sides, looking for bubbling paint, rust holes, or soft spots that give when pressed lightly. Check the floor pans visible from underneath for rust-through or patches of welded repair plates. Examine the areas around the front and rear suspe...
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Flexible brake hose deterioration
Safety risk 936The 156 has a documented problem with premature flexible brake hose failure, with MOT data showing failure rates of 15.4x the fleet average. The rubber brake hoses connecting the rigid brake lines to the brake calipers deteriorate, becoming cracked, twisted, or internally collapsed. This affects braking performance and can lead to complete brake failure. The problem is most severe on 2.0 petrol variants and worsens with age, affecting all mileage bands from 60,000 miles upward.
What to check: Inspect all four flexible brake hoses (one at each wheel) for external cracking, swelling, chafing against suspension components, or twisted routing. Look for brake fluid stains on the ground under each wheel or wet patches around brake hose connections. Check the brake fluid reservoir level - lo...
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Suspension mounting point corrosion
Safety risk 936The 156 suffers from corrosion in the prescribed areas within 30cm of suspension mounting points, with MOT data showing 5.9x higher failure rates than average. This affects the structural integrity of areas where suspension components attach to the body shell. The corrosion weakens load-bearing structures critical for suspension geometry and vehicle safety. This is distinct from general body corrosion and specifically affects the mechanical mounting points that carry suspension loads.
What to check: Inspect the area around each suspension strut top mount (visible when the bonnet is open for front struts) for rust, cracking, or movement in the mounting point. Check underneath the car around the front and rear suspension mounting points for visible corrosion, rust holes, or signs of structural...
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Coil spring fracture
Wear item 936The 156 suffers from premature coil spring failure with MOT data showing 7.7x higher failure rates than the fleet average. Springs can fracture or seriously weaken, typically at the bottom coils where corrosion is worst. The problem affects all engine variants and begins as early as 40,000 miles. Failed springs cause the car to sit lower on the affected corner, alter handling characteristics, and can damage tyres through uneven contact with the road surface.
What to check: Walk around the car and check that it sits level - one corner sitting noticeably lower indicates a broken spring on that side. Look through the wheel spokes at each corner to inspect the visible coil springs for obvious cracks, fractures, or missing coil sections. Check for rust and corrosion on ...
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Engine management light - emissions system fault
Engine damage risk 936The 156 petrol variants suffer from frequent engine management light illumination, with MOT data showing 6.8x higher failure rates than average for MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) issues. This typically indicates problems with the emissions system including lambda sensors, catalytic converter efficiency, or air flow measurement faults. The Twin Spark engines are particularly prone to these issues due to their complex dual-spark ignition system and emissions control requirements.
What to check: Check if the engine management light (yellow engine symbol) is illuminated on the dashboard when the ignition is switched on. Ask the seller about any recent engine management light issues and whether diagnostic codes have been read recently. Check for any unusual exhaust smoke or smells that mig...
We haven’t flagged any common problems for this generation in our data yet. A history check still tells you about finance, write-offs and theft, and the MOT history shows how this particular car has been looked after.
156 MOT results
of 156 MOT tests end in a fail, from 91,948 tests.
Most common reasons for failing
- Subframe bushes or mounts wornSuspension
- Structural corrosionBodywork
- Brake hoses perished or damagedBrakes
Check the 156 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
- Outstanding finance Experian
- Write-off status Experian
- Stolen vehicle check Experian
- Previous owners and keeper history Experian
- MOT history and advisories DVSA
- Mileage check DVSA
- Known problems for its generation GetCarWise
- How many are left on the road DVLA
156 questions
Is the Alfa Romeo 156 reliable?
32.2% of 156 models fail their MOT based on 91,948 tests analysed. That’s below average for the class. There are 5 known problems to watch for, the most serious being structural corrosion reducing rigidity. 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 156?
The most serious known issues are structural corrosion reducing rigidity, flexible brake hose deterioration, suspension mounting point corrosion. Our car check flags whether a specific 156 has been written off or had insurance claims linked to these faults.
How do I check if a Alfa Romeo 156 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 156 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 156 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 156 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 156 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 156 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 156 fail its MOT on?
The most common MOT failure on the 156 is subframe bushes or mounts worn. 32.2% of 156 models fail overall, based on 91,948 tests. Checking a car’s full MOT history before buying shows you recurring problems the seller might not mention.
More on the 156
Other Alfa Romeo car checks
Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. MOT data from DVSA. Known problems from GetCarWise analysis. Updated October 2026.