Alfa Romeo 159 car check
Find out if a Alfa Romeo 159 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
- 28.1%34k tests
- Known problems
- 10across 159
- Full report
- £7.49one-off, no subscription
Which 159 are you looking at?
Each 159 generation has its own weak spots. Here are the known problems.
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Swirl flap failure
Safety risk 159The intake manifold swirl flaps on JTDm diesel engines can fracture and be ingested into the engine, causing catastrophic damage. The plastic flap arms become brittle with heat cycling and can break away from the manifold.
What to check: Ask whether the swirl flaps have been removed or blanked. Many informed owners have had them deleted as a preventive measure. If the intake manifold is accessible, inspect the swirl flap mechanism for any signs of looseness or damage. Check service history for any swirl flap-related work.
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Timing belt service
Safety risk 159The 1.9 and 2.4 JTDm diesel engines require a timing belt change every 60,000 miles or 4 years, whichever comes first. The water pump and tensioners should be replaced at the same time. 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. Check the water pump area for coolant residue indicating a failing seal. Inspect the auxiliary belt at the same time for cracking or glazing.
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Steering rack failure
Wear item 159The 159 is prone to steering rack failure. This is a common and expensive issue, often requiring a complete rack replacement rather than a repair.
What to check: Turn the steering wheel with the engine off and feel for any notchiness or roughness through the wheel. Check for power steering fluid leaks underneath the car, particularly around the rack gaiters and where the rack mounts to the subframe. Inspect the rack gaiters for splits or oil contamination.
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Coil spring fracture
Wear item 159The 159 is a heavy car, which places high stress on the front coil springs. Springs are known to fracture, particularly at the lower coil. Upgraded aftermarket springs are available and recommended when replacing.
What to check: Visually inspect both front springs through the wheel arch. Look for cracks, fractures, or missing sections, particularly at the bottom coil where they seat on the spring perch. Check that the car sits level. A broken spring will cause that corner to sit lower than the opposite side. Inspect the ...
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M32 gearbox bearing failure
Wear item 159The M32 manual gearbox, fitted to the 1.9 JTDm diesel and 1.8 MPI petrol models, is prone to bearing failure. This is a well-documented weakness of the M32 unit across multiple manufacturers that used it.
What to check: With the engine off, move the gear lever through the gates and feel for excessive play or roughness. Check for gearbox oil leaks underneath the car around the gearbox casing and driveshaft seals.
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DPF blockage and regeneration failure
Engine damage risk 159The 1.9 and 2.4 JTDm diesel engines are fitted with a diesel particulate filter that can become blocked, particularly on cars used predominantly for short journeys where the filter does not reach regeneration temperature.
What to check: Check for stored DPF-related fault codes with an OBD reader. Ask about the car's typical journey profile. Predominantly short urban journeys increase DPF blockage risk. Check service history for any DPF regeneration or cleaning work.
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Dual mass flywheel failure
Wear item 159The dual mass flywheel on JTDm diesel models wears over time. The high torque output of the diesel engine accelerates wear, particularly on cars used in stop-start traffic.
What to check: No specific cold diagnostics for this issue.
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Power steering reservoir
Wear item 159The original power steering fluid reservoir has a narrow neck that can cause aeration of the fluid, leading to pump whine and premature pump wear. An updated reservoir with a larger neck was released and should be fitted as a preventive measure.
What to check: Identify the power steering reservoir and check whether it has the original narrow-neck design or the updated larger-neck version. Check fluid level and condition. Foamy or aerated fluid indicates the issue is active. Look for fluid leaks around the reservoir cap and hose connections.
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Front upper wishbone wear
Wear item 159The front upper wishbones are a known weak point on the 159, prone to premature bush and ball joint wear.
What to check: If accessible on a ramp, check the upper wishbone ball joints and bushes for play by levering with a pry bar. Inspect the bushes for cracking, perishing, or separation. Check for uneven front tyre wear indicating disturbed alignment from worn wishbones.
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EGR valve sticking
Engine damage risk 159The 1.9 and 2.4 JTDm diesel engines are prone to EGR valve sticking due to carbon buildup. The 1.9 JTDm is particularly susceptible and often requires EGR cleaning or replacement.
What to check: Check for stored engine management fault codes with an OBD reader. EGR-related codes are common. If accessible, inspect the EGR valve for heavy carbon buildup around the valve stem and housing.
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.
159 MOT results
of 159 MOT tests end in a fail, from 33,671 tests.
Most common reasons for failing
- Stop lamps remain on when the brakes are releasedLights & Electrics
- Emissions failureExhaust & Emissions
- Subframe bushes or mounts wornSuspension
Check the 159 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
159 questions
Is the Alfa Romeo 159 reliable?
28.1% of 159 models fail their MOT based on 33,671 tests analysed. That’s below average for the class. There are 10 known problems to watch for, the most serious being swirl flap failure. 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 159?
The most serious known issues are swirl flap failure, timing belt service, steering rack failure. Our car check flags whether a specific 159 has been written off or had insurance claims linked to these faults.
How do I check if a Alfa Romeo 159 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 159 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 159 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 159 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 159 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 159 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 159 fail its MOT on?
The most common MOT failure on the 159 is stop lamps remain on when the brakes are released. 28.1% of 159 models fail overall, based on 33,671 tests. Checking a car’s full MOT history before buying shows you recurring problems the seller might not mention.
More on the 159
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.