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Alfa Romeo 156 reliability by build year

Coverage 2003-20061 named generationSaloonPETROL

We've only got 237 MOT tests for Alfa Romeo 156 models built around 2004 (21 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

Not enough data

Alfa Romeo 156 built around 2004: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Alfa Romeo 156 models built around 2004 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Check an Alfa Romeo 156 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 156'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.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

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

Suspension springs

Worth checking

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

Tyres

Worth checking

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

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 156's generation

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

156 Phase 2 (facelift)

Phase 2 (facelift) (2003-2006)

Not enough tests to rate
PETROLDIESEL

27.4% fail rate, built around 2004 (21 years old)

Likely between 22.1% and 33.4%

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

From 237 MOT tests at this ageView details →

By age

Alfa Romeo 156 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Alfa Romeo 156 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
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
17828.6%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
23727.4%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
21724.0%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
13526.7%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
14630.8%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
18833.5%

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 25+ years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 21-year-old Alfa Romeo 156 models

These issues come from 21-year-old Alfa Romeo 156 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

    24.1%
    Advisory: 91Fail: 13 (13% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    16.0%
    Advisory: 38Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

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

    14.3%
    Advisory: 52Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    13.1%
    Advisory: 58Fail: 1 (2% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    11.0%
    Advisory: 29Fail: 5 (15% of the times it was found)

Based on 237 MOT tests on 21-year-old Alfa Romeo 156 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 21-year-old Alfa Romeo 156 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelNot much data
  1. Brakes + Suspension37%
  2. Body & structure + Suspension27%
  3. Fuel & oil + Suspension25%
  4. Body & structure + Brakes23%

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

Across 99 MOT tests on Alfa Romeo 156 cars built around 2004 (21 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 156.

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

7 recalls in all

5 of the 7 Alfa Romeo 156 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 Critical
  • 3 more

Top concerns

  • Possibility of engine bay fire
  • Possible risk of fire and loss of power assisted steering
  • Brake pipe may chafe on pas pipe mounting bracket

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

Like-for-like

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons to compare

  1. 1

    Toyota Avensis

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    31.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.4%
    Dangerous
    7.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    72.2%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 6.4%, against 13.1% for the Alfa Romeo 156.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    2,672 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  2. 2

    Volkswagen Passat

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    29.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    83.2%

    No clear edge over the Alfa Romeo 156 on these figures.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    3,339 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  3. 3

    Volkswagen Bora

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    29.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    11.3%
    Dangerous
    5.9%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 5.9%, against 7.6% for the Alfa Romeo 156.

    1,093 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

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 2004 (21 years old), the Alfa Romeo 156 across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 237 21-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 156 ever sold: 1,101 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2004 (21 years old): 237 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.