Alfa Romeo 156 MOT Failures
An analysis of 11,570 real DVSA MOT tests on the Alfa Romeo 156 — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: 936 (1997–2007).
Where the Alfa Romeo 156 fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Alfa Romeo 156 is light unit fault — this model is 18 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 11,570 MOT tests, 6.94% of all Alfa Romeo 156 tests recorded this as a failure.
Lighting faults are usually straightforward to fix (bulbs, connectors, earth points) but can indicate deeper wiring issues on older cars. Check all lights including fog lamps, number plate lights, and dashboard warning lights.
Other notable weak points include structural corrosion (18x the fleet average), seat mounting fault (13x the fleet average), emissions failure (20x the fleet average), and brake hoses perished or damaged (18x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Alfa Romeo 156's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 6 categories: Lights & Electrics, Bodywork, Seatbelts & Airbags, Exhaust & Emissions, Brakes and others. If you're inspecting a Alfa Romeo 156 before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Alfa Romeo 156's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Alfa Romeo 156 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are brake hoses perished or damaged (18x the average) and abs fault (9.6x). coil springs broken (7.7x) and light unit fault (5.7x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Alfa Romeo 156 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are structural corrosion (18x the average) and brake hoses perished or damaged (15x). anti-roll bar links worn (14x) and seat mounting fault (13x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Alfa Romeo 156 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are subframe bushes or mounts worn (23x the average) and emissions failure (20x). anti-roll bar links worn (13x) and structural corrosion (11x) also appear frequently.
The shift from brake hoses perished or damaged at lower mileages to subframe bushes or mounts worn at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Alfa Romeo 156 specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Structural corrosion reducing rigidity Dangerous
The 156 suffers from severe structural corrosion that compromises the vehicle's structural integrity. Affects 936; typical independent garage repair cost is £1,500–£3,000.
Flexible brake hose deterioration Dangerous
The 156 has a documented problem with premature flexible brake hose failure, with MOT data showing failure rates of 15.4x the fleet average. Affects 936; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.
Suspension mounting point corrosion Dangerous
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. Affects 936; typical independent garage repair cost is £1,000–£2,500.
Coil spring fracture Major
The 156 suffers from premature coil spring failure with MOT data showing 7.7x higher failure rates than the fleet average. Affects 936; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£500.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Alfa Romeo 156 common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Alfa Romeo 156
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Alfa Romeo 156:
Lights & Electrics — check for light unit fault. Bodywork — check for structural corrosion, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t.... Seatbelts & Airbags — check for seat mounting fault. Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about structural corrosion reducing rigidity and flexible brake hose deterioration. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £1,500. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Alfa Romeo 156?
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Alfa Romeo 156 MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Alfa Romeo 156?
Based on 11,570 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is light unit fault — at 18x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include structural corrosion and seat mounting fault.
Is the Alfa Romeo 156 reliable based on MOT data?
The Alfa Romeo 156 has 14 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag structural corrosion reducing rigidity as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Alfa Romeo 156 most commonly fails on subframe bushes or mounts worn and emissions failure. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are brake hoses perished or damaged and abs fault.
How do I check a Alfa Romeo 156's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.