MOT failure data · 2025

Alfa Romeo 159 MOT problems

Across every Alfa Romeo 159 that failed its 2025 MOT, the defect testers recorded most often was rbt (sp) efficiency below requirements, on 7.31% of failure items. The broadest problem area was suspension at 27.83%. These are recorded defects across the model, not a diagnosis of any one car.

Most common Alfa Romeo 159 MOT failures

#Recorded defect AreaShare
1 Rbt (sp) efficiency below requirements Brakes 7.31%
2 Coil spring fractured or broken Suspension 6.22%
3 Component mounting prescribed areas prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Suspension 6.14%
4 Ball joint ball joint excessively worn Suspension 3.79%
5 Tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres 3.73%
6 Condition has ply or cords exposed Tyres 3.61%
7 Position lamp not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 3.44%
8 Service brake performance excessively binding Brakes 2.5%
9 Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative or indicates a malfunction Noise, emissions and leaks 2.38%
10 Pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn Suspension 2.27%

Shares are of all recorded failure items for this model, so they sum to less than 100% — a single failed test often records several defects, and the long tail below the top 10 is not shown.

What this means if you are buying one

Use it as a viewing checklist. If you are looking at a Alfa Romeo 159, these are the areas worth inspecting and worth asking about — and worth reading the car's own MOT history for, since a defect that keeps reappearing as an advisory is a better signal than any model-wide average.

The MOT record also has hard limits: it does not check the engine, clutch or gearbox, and it says nothing about outstanding finance, insurance write-off history, stolen markers or whether the mileage is genuine. Our used Alfa Romeo 159 buying guide covers what to check beyond the MOT.

Checking a specific Alfa Romeo 159?

Enter its registration for finance, write-off, stolen, mileage and keeper history.

Free MOT history is available too — the £15 report adds finance, write-off, stolen and mileage checks.

Other Alfa Romeo models

Alfa Romeo 159 MOT FAQs

What does a Alfa Romeo 159 most commonly fail its MOT on?

The single most recorded defect on Alfa Romeo 159 cars failing their 2025 MOT was "rbt (sp) efficiency below requirements", appearing on 7.31% of failure items.

Does this mean my Alfa Romeo 159 will fail?

No. This is what testers recorded across every Alfa Romeo 159 that failed in 2025. It shows where this model tends to need attention, not the condition of any individual car. The Alfa Romeo 159 passed 62.01% of its initial tests.

How do I see a specific Alfa Romeo 159's MOT history?

Enter its registration on our free MOT history check to see that car's own test results, advisories and recorded mileages.

See also: Alfa Romeo 159 MOT pass rate · used Alfa Romeo 159 buying guide · free MOT history check

Defect counts from the DVSA MOT Anonymised test-item data for 2025 (class 4 initial tests, failure items only — advisories and minor defects excluded), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.