Home/Car check/Alfa Romeo/Spider

Alfa Romeo Spider car check

Find out if a Spider 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
£14,49911 at dealers
MOT failure rate
23.4%15k tests
Known problems
5across Series 2 to 939
Full report
£7.49one-off, no subscription

Which Spider are you looking at?

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

  1. Brake caliper seizure and grabbing

    Safety risk 916

    The 916 Spider shows severe brake problems with calipers grabbing at 34.1 times the fleet average and general brake efficiency issues at 35.2 times average. The front brake calipers are prone to seizure, causing uneven braking, dangerous pulling under braking, and rapid pad wear. This is a safety-critical issue that can cause loss of vehicle control during emergency stops.

    What to check: Check each wheel for evidence of brake pad dust buildup - one wheel significantly dustier than others suggests a seizing caliper. Look at brake disc condition through the wheel spokes - deeply scored, blue-tinted, or warped discs indicate caliper problems. Check for brake fluid leaks around each ...

  2. Suspension component corrosion

    Safety risk 916, 939

    MOT data shows suspension components failing due to corrosion or damage at 41.6 times the fleet average, affecting over 1,700 vehicles. This affects the 2.0L petrol, 2.2L petrol, and 2.4L diesel variants across all mileage ranges. The issue involves structural corrosion of suspension arms, subframe mounting points, and connecting components that can lead to complete suspension failure and loss of vehicle control.

    What to check: Examine the front subframe area visible from underneath for obvious rust, flaking metal, or structural damage - use a torch to inspect mounting points thoroughly. Check suspension arm bushes for cracking, splitting, or excessive movement when the suspension is loaded. Look for rust staining aroun...

  3. Coil spring failure

    Wear item 916, 939

    The front and rear coil springs are prone to fracturing, particularly on the 916 and 939 generations. MOT data shows this model fails spring inspections at 27.1 times the fleet average, with over 3,000 recorded failures. The springs can break suddenly, causing dangerous handling characteristics, uneven tyre wear, and potential damage to other suspension components. Failed springs typically snap near the coils rather than gradually sagging.

    What to check: Walk around the car and check if it sits level - one corner sitting noticeably lower indicates a broken spring. Look underneath each wheel arch for any visible coil spring that appears to have sharp, fresh breaks or missing sections. Check for uneven tyre wear patterns, particularly on the inside...

  4. Wheel bearing excessive play

    Wear item 916

    The 916 Spider shows a documented pattern of wheel bearing wear, failing MOT tests at 37.1 times the fleet average for bearing play. The front wheel bearings are particularly susceptible to premature wear, likely due to the vehicle's weight distribution and sporting driving characteristics. Failed bearings create dangerous handling characteristics and can ultimately lead to wheel detachment if not addressed.

    What to check: Jack up each wheel in turn and grasp the tyre at 12 and 6 o'clock positions. Rock the wheel - any detectable movement indicates bearing wear. Grasp at 3 and 9 o'clock and repeat - movement in this plane may indicate worn track rod ends rather than bearings. Spin each wheel by hand and listen for ...

  5. Parking brake efficiency failure

    Safety and MOT risk 916, 939

    The handbrake system shows the highest failure rate in the MOT data, failing at 42.3 times the fleet average. This affects both 2.0L and 2.2L petrol variants across all mileage ranges. The rear disc brake setup used for the handbrake is prone to seized mechanisms, corroded cables, and caliper problems that prevent adequate braking force. This is a legal requirement for MOT pass and affects vehicle security when parked.

    What to check: Apply the handbrake firmly - it should engage within 5-7 clicks and feel solid. More than 8 clicks or a spongy feel indicates adjustment problems or cable stretch. Check the handbrake lever travel - excessive movement suggests cable or mechanism wear. Look under the car for any obvious corrosion ...

What Spiders cost at dealers now

From 11 used Spiders we track on UK dealer websites.

Typical asking price
£14,499
Typical mileage
61,064 miles
Price change vs last month
—

Spider MOT results

23.4%

of Spider MOT tests end in a fail, from 15,048 tests.

Most common reasons for failing

  1. Brake hoses perished or damagedBrakes
  2. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirementBrakes
  3. Wheel bearings wornSuspension

Check the Spider 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

Spider questions

Is the Alfa Romeo Spider reliable?

23.4% of Spider models fail their MOT based on 15,048 tests analysed. That’s about average for the class. There are 5 known problems to watch for, the most serious being brake caliper seizure and grabbing. 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 Spider?

The most serious known issues are brake caliper seizure and grabbing, suspension component corrosion, coil spring failure. Problems vary by generation, so check which apply to the year you’re looking at. Our car check flags whether a specific Spider has been written off or had insurance claims linked to these faults.

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

The most common MOT failure on the Spider is brake hoses perished or damaged. 23.4% of Spider models fail overall, based on 15,048 tests. Checking a car’s full MOT history before buying shows you recurring problems the seller might not mention.

More on the Spider

Other Alfa Romeo car checks

Alfa Romeo 14729.9% MOT failure rate 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

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