Large family car · 2003–2014 cars
Alfa Romeo 159 reliability
The Alfa Romeo 159 fails 42.6% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, based on 14,247 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Alfa Romeo 159 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 42.6%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 1% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 14,247
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 9,600
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Alfa Romeo 159 ages
Each point is the share of Alfa Romeo 159s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Alfa Romeo 159 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 38.5% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 39.8% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 41.4% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 42.8% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 43.6% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 42.6% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 42.9% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 45.6% | 43.4% |
By year
The best and worst Alfa Romeo 159 years
2007 cars come out best and 2010 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 301 | 37.2% | 9% more fails | 86,742 |
| 2011 159 | 1,685 | 39% | 1% more fails | 112,078 |
| 2010 159 | 2,457 | 41.8% | 2% more fails | 114,763 |
| 2009 159 | 2,922 | 42.5% | 0% more fails | 117,975 |
| 2008 159 | 2,929 | 43.8% | 0% fewer fails | 121,920 |
| 2007 159 | 2,924 | 43.9% | 0% fewer fails | 116,056 |
| 2006 159 | 1,025 | 44.8% | 1% more fails | 115,905 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Alfa Romeo 159
Its weak spot is exhaust, emissions and leaks: 46% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension19.5%14% above avg
- Brakes15.4%35% above avg
- Lights and electrics15.1%25% below avg
- Tyres9.3%17% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks8.7%46% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure6.4%8% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.4%17% below avg
- Steering3.2%10% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags1.6%18% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 7.62% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken 6.5% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 3.53% of tests
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
- 4
Tyre ply or cords exposed 3.48% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 5
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.14% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 6
Position lamp not working 3.08% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 7
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 2.62% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 8
Dipped beam headlamp not working 2.3% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Alfa Romeo 159's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit21.51%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive12.7%
- Brake disc pitted or scored9.24%
- Sub-frame showing corrosion7.76%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear6.52%
- Brake pads wearing thin5.76%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Alfa Romeo 159
- 1
Parking brake efficiency below minimum
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
- 4
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Alfa Romeo 159 covers about 9,600 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Diesel78.6%
- Petrol21.4%
Most common colours
Black, Red, Grey, Silver, White
Average engine size: 2.1 litres.
Compare
How the Alfa Romeo 159 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Arteon | 11.9% | 25% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Subaru Outback | 25.8% | 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SEAT Exeo | 33.4% | 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Subaru Legacy | 36.7% | 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Alfa Romeo 159 | 42.6% | about average for its age |
| Peugeot 406 | 44.2% | 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën DS5 | 36.6% | 15% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every large family car ranked in the large family car reliability index, or all Alfa Romeo models.
Questions
Alfa Romeo 159 questions, answered
Is the Alfa Romeo 159 reliable?
On MOT results, the Alfa Romeo 159 is about average: it fails 42.6% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage. It ranks 21 of 29 large family car models in our index.
What fails most on a Alfa Romeo 159 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Alfa Romeo 159 are parking brake efficiency below minimum (7.62% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (6.5% of tests), suspension mounting area seriously corroded (3.53% of tests). By area, suspension fails 19.5% of its tests.
Which Alfa Romeo 159 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2007 cars do best (about average for its age) and 2010 cars do worst (about average for its age).
How many miles does a Alfa Romeo 159 do a year?
A typical Alfa Romeo 159 covers about 9,600 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Alfa Romeo 159 before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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