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Alfa Romeo Giulia car check

Find out if a Giulia 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.

Typical price
£34,850107 at dealers
MOT failure rate
12.8%10k tests
Known problems
9across 952 to Quadrifoglio
Full report
£7.49one-off, no subscription

Which Giulia are you looking at?

Each Giulia generation has its own weak spots. Pick the one you’re viewing to see what to check.

  1. Suspension component premature wear

    Wear item 952

    Suspension pins, bushes and joints on 952 Giulias show accelerated wear patterns compared to equivalent BMW or Audi models. The issue is most pronounced on 2.0 petrol variants and appears to be design-related rather than manufacturing defect. Later production cars from 2020 onwards show marginal improvement but the fundamental issue persists.

    What to check: Walk around the car and visually inspect all four wheels for uneven tyre wear patterns - inner or outer edge wear indicates suspension geometry problems. Check for any obvious oil or grease staining around suspension components visible through the wheel spokes. Push down firmly on each corner of ...

  2. DPF issues

    Wear item 952

    The 2.2 MultiJet diesel engine experiences DPF blockage and regeneration failures, particularly on cars used for short journeys or urban driving. The DPF warning light illuminates frequently and the system requires manual regeneration cycles. Complete DPF replacement is expensive and some owners resort to illegal DPF removal which fails MOT emissions testing.

    What to check: Ask about recent DPF warning lights and whether manual regeneration procedures have been required. Frequent warnings indicate a problematic system. Check service history for DPF-related repairs or forced regeneration cycles performed by dealers. Ensure the car has not had the DPF system removed -...

  3. Fuel pump failures

    Wear item 952, Quadrifoglio

    NHTSA complaints document in-tank fuel pump failures causing sudden power loss and stalling. The issue affects both petrol variants and appears related to fuel pump module design rather than contamination. Failed pumps can cause dangerous stalling in traffic with limited warning signs before complete failure.

    What to check: Listen carefully when turning the ignition to position 2 (without starting) - you should hear a brief whirring sound from the fuel tank area as the pump primes. Absence of this sound may indicate pump failure. Ask about any recent incidents of sudden power loss, stalling, or difficulty starting.

  4. Engine management warning light

    Electrical 952

    Common triggers include lambda sensor faults, EGR valve carbon buildup on diesels, and software glitches in the engine control module. While often not immediately serious, the underlying faults can develop into more expensive repairs if ignored.

    What to check: Ask the seller if the engine warning light has been on recently and whether any diagnostic work has been done. Request printouts of any fault codes if available. Check that the warning light illuminates briefly when the ignition is turned on (proving the bulb works) then extinguishes when the eng...

  5. Premature brake component wear

    Safety and MOT risk 952

    The issue affects both front and rear brakes and appears related to brake compound specification rather than driver abuse. Some early production cars show disc scoring and pad degradation at under 20,000 miles.

    What to check: Look through the wheel spokes at the brake discs - they should have a smooth, uniform surface without deep scoring, cracks, or obvious rust beyond surface oxidation. Check for brake pad material visible through the caliper - pads should show reasonable thickness with no metal-on-metal contact vis...

  6. Carbon buildup

    Engine damage risk Quadrifoglio

    The 2.9 V6 twin-turbo engine uses direct injection which causes carbon deposits to build up on intake valves over time. This is exacerbated by the aggressive tuning and high boost pressures in the Quadrifoglio application. Carbon buildup reduces airflow, causes rough idle, and can trigger misfires. The issue is inherent to the direct injection design and requires periodic cleaning rather than representing a design fault.

    What to check: Ask for service history showing whether walnut blasting or chemical carbon cleaning has been performed. This should be done every 40,000-50,000 miles on this engine. Check for any engine management warning lights in the service history that might indicate previous misfire events.

  7. Water pump failure

    Wear item 952

    Water pump failures occur on 2.0 turbo engines with documented cases of coolant leaks from the pump housing and impeller shaft seal. The issue typically manifests as external coolant loss rather than catastrophic failure, but can progress to overheating if not addressed. Alfa Romeo issued TSB 09-062-19 revising replacement procedures and gasket specifications.

    What to check: Check coolant level in the expansion tank - it should be between minimum and maximum marks when cold. Low levels may indicate ongoing leaks. Look under the car for any coolant staining or wet patches, particularly around the front of the engine bay. Remove the radiator cap (engine cold only) and ...

  8. Electrical system malfunctions

    Electrical 952, Quadrifoglio

    NHTSA complaints document various electrical issues including instrument cluster failures, sensor malfunctions, and ECU communication problems. The issues appear to be software-related rather than hardware failures, with some resolving after ECU reprogramming or software updates from Alfa Romeo dealers.

    What to check: Check all dashboard warning lights illuminate correctly during the bulb test phase when ignition is first turned on. Verify that all instruments (speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, temperature gauge) show normal readings. Test basic electrical functions - lights, indicators, horn, electric wind...

  9. Relatively reliable

    Electrical 952

    The 952 generation represents a significant improvement in build quality and reliability compared to previous Alfa Romeo models. Early production 2.0 turbo variants show good reliability metrics with documented quality improvements implemented during the production run. While specific component issues exist as documented elsewhere, the overall package shows above-average dependability for a premium sports sedan.

    What to check: Review complete service history to confirm regular maintenance has been followed according to manufacturer schedules. Check for any outstanding recalls or Technical Service Bulletins that should have been completed. Verify that software updates have been applied where applicable.

What Giulias cost at dealers now

From 107 used Giulias we track on UK dealer websites.

Typical asking price
£34,850
Typical mileage
27,813 miles
Price change vs last month
-43.3%

Giulia MOT results

12.8%

of Giulia MOT tests end in a fail, from 9,789 tests.

Most common reasons for failing

  1. Headlight faultLights & Electrics
  2. Tyre cords visible or damagedTyres
  3. Brake lining or pad worn down to wear indicatorBrakes

Check the Giulia 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

Giulia questions

Is the Alfa Romeo Giulia reliable?

12.8% of Giulia models fail their MOT based on 9,789 tests analysed. That’s better than average for the class. There are 9 known problems to watch for, the most serious being suspension component premature wear. 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 Giulia?

The most serious known issues are suspension component premature wear, dpf issues, fuel pump failures. Problems vary by generation, so check which apply to the year you’re looking at. Our car check flags whether a specific Giulia has been written off or had insurance claims linked to these faults.

How do I check if a Alfa Romeo Giulia 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 Giulia 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 Giulia 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 Giulia 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 Giulia 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 Giulia 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 Giulia fail its MOT on?

The most common MOT failure on the Giulia is headlight fault. 12.8% of Giulia models fail overall, based on 9,789 tests. Checking a car’s full MOT history before buying shows you recurring problems the seller might not mention.

More on the Giulia

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