Alfa Romeo Brera MOT Failures
An analysis of 18,414 real DVSA MOT tests on the Alfa Romeo Brera — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: 939 (2005–2010).
Where the Alfa Romeo Brera fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Alfa Romeo Brera is emissions failure — this model is 16 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 18,414 MOT tests, 4.7% of all Alfa Romeo Brera tests recorded this as a failure.
Exhaust and emissions failures often point to catalytic converter degradation, lambda sensor faults, or — in diesel models — DPF problems. These can be expensive to fix and will cause an immediate MOT failure.
Other notable weak points include light unit fault (15x the fleet average), subframe bushes or mounts worn (9.9x the fleet average), exhaust system damage (28x the fleet average), and suspension component damaged or corroded (6.6x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Alfa Romeo Brera'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 4 categories: Exhaust & Emissions, Lights & Electrics, Suspension, Bodywork. If you're inspecting a Alfa Romeo Brera 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 Brera'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 Brera specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are subframe bushes or mounts worn (9.9x the average) and emissions failure (9.5x). suspension component damaged or corroded (6.6x) and exhaust system damage (5.8x) 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 Brera specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are exhaust system damage (28x the average) and structural corrosion (23x). headlight fault (19x) and light unit fault (15x) 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 Brera specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are emissions failure (16x the average) and engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det... (15x). light unit fault (8.6x) and power steering fault (8.2x) also appear frequently.
The shift from subframe bushes or mounts worn at lower mileages to emissions failure 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 Brera specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Suspension component damage and corrosion (939) Major
The Brera's suspension components, particularly control arms and subframe mounting points, suffer premature corrosion and structural damage. Affects 939.
Engine management light and emissions failures (939) Major
The 2.2 JTS direct injection petrol engine suffers frequent emissions system faults that illuminate the engine management light. Affects 939.
DPF blockage and smoke opacity failures (939) Major
The 2.4 JTDm diesel engine suffers severe diesel particulate filter (DPF) blockage issues, particularly in higher mileage examples. Affects 939.
Brake binding and efficiency problems (939) Major
Brera models suffer from brake caliper binding and reduced braking efficiency at significantly higher rates than the fleet average. Affects 939.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Alfa Romeo Brera common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Alfa Romeo Brera
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Alfa Romeo Brera:
Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure. Lights & Electrics — check for light unit fault, headlight fault. Suspension — check for subframe bushes or mounts worn, suspension component damaged or corroded. Bodywork — check for exhaust system damage, structural corrosion, engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det....
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about suspension component damage and corrosion and engine management light and emissions failures. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — 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 Brera?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Alfa Romeo Brera MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Alfa Romeo Brera?
Based on 18,414 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is emissions failure — at 16x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include light unit fault and subframe bushes or mounts worn.
Is the Alfa Romeo Brera reliable based on MOT data?
The Alfa Romeo Brera has 10 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag suspension component damage and corrosion 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 Brera most commonly fails on emissions failure and engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det.... Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are subframe bushes or mounts worn and emissions failure.
How do I check a Alfa Romeo Brera'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.