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Alfa Romeo 147 reliability by build year

Coverage 2001-20052 named generationsHatchbackDIESEL / PETROL

We've only got 383 MOT tests for Alfa Romeo 147 models built around 2008 (17 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

Not enough data

Alfa Romeo 147 built around 2008: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Alfa Romeo 147 models built around 2008 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Check an Alfa Romeo 147 by number plate

Key figure

Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Alfa Romeo 147's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your 147's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

147 Phase 1

Phase 1 (2001-2005)

Excellent
DIESELPETROL

21.9% fail rate, built around 2004 (21 years old)

Likely between 16.9% and 27.9%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.1%)

From 215 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

DIESELPETROL
196 MOT tests across all agesLimited data

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Alfa Romeo 147.

See every build year for the Alfa Romeo 147

By age

Alfa Romeo 147 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Alfa Romeo 147 ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
5431.5%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
28632.5%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
38333.9%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
27331.9%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
20836.1%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
17726.6%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
21521.9%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
15326.8%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
8326.5%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 19 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 17-year-old Alfa Romeo 147 models

These issues come from 17-year-old Alfa Romeo 147 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    30.8%
    Advisory: 136Fail: 48 (26% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    26.4%
    Advisory: 141Fail: 16 (10% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    17.5%
    Advisory: 98Fail: 2 (2% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    15.9%
    Advisory: 63Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    13.3%
    Advisory: 68Fail: 3 (4% of the times it was found)

Based on 383 MOT tests on 17-year-old Alfa Romeo 147 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 17-year-old Alfa Romeo 147 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Suspension + Tyres36%
  2. Brakes + Suspension33%
  3. Body & structure + Suspension24%
  4. Emissions & exhaust + Suspension24%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 245 MOT tests on Alfa Romeo 147 cars built around 2008 (17 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Alfa Romeo 147.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

9 recalls in all

7 of the 9 Alfa Romeo 147 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 3 Critical
  • 4 more

Top concerns

  • Possibility of fire
  • Possible risk of fire and loss of power assisted steering
  • Possible fire risk

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Subaru Impreza

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    10.2%
    Dangerous
    4.1%

    Lower fail rate: 23.7%, against 33.9% for the Alfa Romeo 147, both built around 2008.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,727 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  2. 2

    Smart ForTwo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    28.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8%
    Dangerous
    4.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    89.4%

    Lower fail rate: 28.3%, against 33.9% for the Alfa Romeo 147, both built around 2008.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    4,904 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  3. 3

    BMW 1 Series

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    26.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    7.7%
    Dangerous
    7.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    92.1%

    Lower fail rate: 26.9%, against 33.9% for the Alfa Romeo 147, both built around 2008.

    12 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    14,231 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  4. 4

    Toyota Prius

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    27.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.6%
    Dangerous
    5.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.4%

    Lower fail rate: 27.5%, against 33.9% for the Alfa Romeo 147, both built around 2008.

    5 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    8,273 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2008 (17 years old), the Alfa Romeo 147 across all generations combined fails MOTs slightly more often than typical for this age. This is based on 383 17-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Alfa Romeo 147 ever sold: 1,832 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2008 (17 years old): 383 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.