Alfa Romeo Spider MOT Failures

An analysis of 30,153 real DVSA MOT tests on the Alfa Romeo Spider — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: Series 2 (1970–1982), Series 3 (1983–1993), 916 (1995–2006), 939 (2006–2010).

Where the Alfa Romeo Spider fails its MOT

The single biggest MOT failure point on the Alfa Romeo Spider is service brake efficiency below minimum requirement — this model is 35 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 30,153 MOT tests, 4.04% of all Alfa Romeo Spider tests recorded this as a failure.

Brake failures on the MOT range from worn pads and discs (routine maintenance) to corroded brake lines and seized calipers (more serious). Check for any pulling under braking and listen for grinding.

Other notable weak points include light unit fault (20x the fleet average), wheel bearings worn (37x the fleet average), parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement (42x the fleet average), and emissions failure (15x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Alfa Romeo Spider'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: Brakes, Lights & Electrics, Suspension, Exhaust & Emissions. If you're inspecting a Alfa Romeo Spider 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 Spider'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 Spider specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are brake hoses perished or damaged (93x the average) and parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement (37x). service brake efficiency below minimum requirement (35x) and brake on any wheel grabbing severely (34x) 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 Spider specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are wheel bearings worn (37x the average) and brake on any wheel grabbing severely (34x). braking effort inadequate at a wheel (32x) and service brake efficiency below minimum requirement (31x) 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 Spider specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are braking effort inadequate at a wheel (35x the average) and service brake efficiency below minimum requirement (29x). wheel bearings worn (28x) and structural corrosion (13x) also appear frequently.

The shift from brake hoses perished or damaged at lower mileages to braking effort inadequate at a wheel 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 Spider specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.

Brake caliper seizure and grabbing Dangerous

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. Affects 916; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.

Suspension component corrosion Dangerous

MOT data shows suspension components failing due to corrosion or damage at 41.6 times the fleet average, affecting over 1,700 vehicles. Affects 916, 939; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£800.

Coil spring failure Major

The front and rear coil springs are prone to fracturing, particularly on the 916 and 939 generations. Affects 916, 939; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.

Wheel bearing excessive play Major

The 916 Spider shows a documented pattern of wheel bearing wear, failing MOT tests at 37.1 times the fleet average for bearing play. Affects 916; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£250.

For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Alfa Romeo Spider common problems breakdown.

What to check before buying a Alfa Romeo Spider

Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Alfa Romeo Spider:

Brakes — check for service brake efficiency below minimum requirement, parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, braking effort inadequate at a wheel, brake on any wheel grabbing severely. Lights & Electrics — check for light unit fault. Suspension — check for wheel bearings worn, anti-roll bar links worn.

Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about brake caliper seizure and grabbing and suspension component corrosion. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £200. 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.

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.