What goes wrong, what it costs, and what to check before you buy a used Alfa Romeo 156.
The Alfa Romeo 156 occupies a niche position on the UK market.
We track 5 known issues across the Alfa Romeo 156 range, including 3 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Alfa Romeo 156? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
936 (1997–2007) — Petrol options included the 1.6 Twin Spark, 1.75 Twin Spark, 2.0 Twin Spark, 2.5 V6, 3.2 GTA V6, with 1.9 JTD, 2.4 JTD on the diesel side. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 3 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Structural corrosion reducing rigidity (£1,500–£3,000 to address).
The 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.
Structural corrosion compromises occupant safety in an accident and makes the vehicle unroadworthy. Repair typically requires extensive welding of new metal sections and may cost £2,000-£5,000 depending on extent. Many examples are written off as beyond economical repair when structural corrosion is discovered.
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, jacking points and door bottoms carefully. Press gently on sills to check for soft spots. Look underneath for corrosion on structural components. Check the MOT history for corrosion-related advisories or failures.
The 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.
Failed brake hoses can cause complete loss of braking on the affected circuit or wheel. Internal collapse restricts brake fluid flow, reducing braking effectiveness. External failure causes brake fluid loss and brake system failure. The car should not be driven with suspected brake hose problems.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
The 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.
Corroded suspension mounting points can fail completely, causing loss of vehicle control and potential wheel detachment. The structural damage compromises occupant safety and typically requires extensive welding repairs. Many vehicles are written off when significant mounting point corrosion is discovered.
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, jacking points and door bottoms carefully. Press gently on sills to check for soft spots. Look underneath for corrosion on structural components. Check the MOT history for corrosion-related advisories or failures.
The 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.
A fractured spring reduces vehicle stability, causes uneven tyre wear, and can fail completely without warning. Complete failure results in loss of vehicle control and potential damage to brake lines, CV joints, and wheel arch liners. Typical repair involves replacing springs in pairs per axle.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
The 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.
An illuminated engine management light causes MOT failure and indicates reduced emissions system efficiency. While the car remains driveable, fuel economy typically worsens and the underlying fault may cause catalytic converter damage if left untreated. Diagnostic investigation is required to identify the specific fault.
Check for any engine warning lights on the dashboard. Ask about the car's MOT emissions history — repeated failures suggest underlying issues. A pre-purchase diagnostic scan is especially worthwhile to check for stored emissions fault codes.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Alfa Romeo 156 common problems page.
Based on 9k real DVSA MOT tests, the Alfa Romeo 156 fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is subframe bushes or mounts worn at 23x the fleet average, followed by emissions failure (20x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Alfa Romeo 156 MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 10k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include timing belt (£400–£600).
See the full Alfa Romeo 156 service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Alfa Romeo 156 has some well-documented weak points, including 3 safety-critical issues that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Alfa Romeo 156, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Alfa Romeo 156 issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.