Family hatchback · 1999–2021 cars
Alfa Romeo Giulietta reliability
The Alfa Romeo Giulietta fails 30.4% of first MOT tests, 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 82,235 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Alfa Romeo Giulietta before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 30.4%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 3% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 82,235
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 8,500
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Alfa Romeo Giulietta ages
Each point is the share of Alfa Romeo Giuliettas of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Alfa Romeo Giulietta | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 12.9% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 15.5% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 15.8% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 20.2% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 23.2% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 27.4% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 30.5% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 34.5% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 38.5% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 38.9% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 40.1% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 40.3% | 41.1% |
By year
The best and worst Alfa Romeo Giulietta years
2017 cars come out best and 2019 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 783 | 14.3% | 18% more fails | 26,661 |
| 2019 Giulietta | 1,275 | 14.4% | 10% more fails | 29,557 |
| 2018 Giulietta | 2,713 | 14.5% | 1% fewer fails | 34,897 |
| 2017 Giulietta | 4,765 | 17.2% | 1% fewer fails | 44,475 |
| 2016 Giulietta | 8,928 | 21% | 2% more fails | 53,778 |
| 2015 Giulietta | 9,535 | 25.7% | 8% more fails | 61,997 |
| 2014 Giulietta | 9,931 | 27.2% | 1% fewer fails | 70,390 |
| 2013 Giulietta | 9,967 | 32.8% | 6% more fails | 78,865 |
| 2012 Giulietta | 11,116 | 35.5% | 3% more fails | 90,473 |
| 2011 Giulietta | 17,299 | 39.9% | 5% more fails | 102,114 |
| 2010 Giulietta | 5,865 | 39.1% | 0% fewer fails | 101,568 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Its weak spot is tyres: 29% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics11.5%1% above avg
- Suspension10.1%7% above avg
- Tyres8.7%29% above avg
- Brakes5.7%13% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.5%1% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.5%25% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure2%35% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.7%16% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.4%6% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.22% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 3
Side repeater not working 2.64% of tests
A failed side repeater means other road users cannot see your intended direction change, which is dangerous and must be fixed.
- 4
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 2.63% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 5
Tyre ply or cords exposed 2.17% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 6
Dipped beam headlamp not working 2.1% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 7
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.88% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 8
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.74% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Alfa Romeo Giulietta's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit16.9%
- Brake disc pitted or scored10.45%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear7.57%
- Coil spring showing some corrosion7.4%
- Brake pads wearing thin7.14%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking6.26%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Alfa Romeo Giulietta
- 1
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 3
Side repeater not working
A failed side repeater means other road users cannot see your intended direction change, which is dangerous and must be fixed.
- 4
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 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 Giulietta covers about 8,500 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
- Diesel50%
- Petrol50%
- LPG0%
Most common colours
Red, Black, White, Grey, Blue
Average engine size: 1.6 litres.
Compare
How the Alfa Romeo Giulietta compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lexus CT | 15.5% | 40% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Skoda Rapid | 23.9% | about average for its age |
| Volvo C30 | 40% | 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Alfa Romeo Giulietta | 30.4% | 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo S40 | 42.7% | 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Kia Soul | 28.5% | 5% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan Pulsar | 23.9% | 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family hatchback ranked in the family hatchback reliability index, or all Alfa Romeo models.
Questions
Alfa Romeo Giulietta questions, answered
Is the Alfa Romeo Giulietta reliable?
On MOT results, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta is about average: it fails 30.4% of first MOT tests, 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 30 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.
What fails most on a Alfa Romeo Giulietta MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta are coil spring fractured or broken (3.22% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (3% of tests), side repeater not working (2.64% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 11.5% of its tests.
Which Alfa Romeo Giulietta year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2017 cars do best (about average for its age) and 2019 cars do worst (10% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Alfa Romeo Giulietta do a year?
A typical Alfa Romeo Giulietta covers about 8,500 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 Giulietta 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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