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Alfa Romeo 156 Phase 2 (facelift) (2003-2006) reliability

Not enough data

Alfa Romeo 156 Phase 2 (facelift) built around 2004: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Alfa Romeo 156 Phase 2 (facelift) models built around 2004 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Looking at an Alfa Romeo 156 Phase 2 (facelift) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

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

Alfa Romeo 156 Phase 2 (facelift)
No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate2003-2006SaloonPETROL / DIESEL

Based on 537 tests of 156 models registered 2003-2006.

Phase 2 (facelift) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
17828.6%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
23727.4%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
12225.4%

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 20 years old.

How the 156 Phase 2 (facelift) compares

At each age below, see how the 156 Phase 2 (facelift) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 628 tests across 4 Alfa Romeo models, built around 2004 (21 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateAlfa Romeo average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
17828.6%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
23727.4%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
12225.4%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can 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.

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the 156 Phase 2 (facelift).

  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 Phase 2 (facelift).

    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 Phase 2 (facelift) 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 Phase 2 (facelift).

    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.

Recall context

7 recalls in all

4 of the 7 156 Phase 2 (facelift) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 Critical
  • 2 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.

What has gone wrong on 156 Phase 2 (facelift) cars built around 2004

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 137 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
55%
Emissions
46%
Bodywork
10%
Drivetrain
7%
Steering
4%

Wear items

Lighting
72%
Tyres
55%
Brakes
52%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 20% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

Check the sills, subframe and brake pipes before you decide.

How 156 Phase 2 (facelift) cars have aged

How 156 Phase 2 (facelift) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%16171819202122Age at MOTBuilt around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 35.7% (255 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 35.6% (205 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 35.5% (166 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 29.7% (64 tests, 2024 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 32.1% (321 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 32.3% (254 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 35.2% (210 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 34.1% (164 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 28.7% (87 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 32.8% (329 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 34.4% (221 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 24.7% (150 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 27.3% (150 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 25.4% (122 tests, 2025 data)2003
First registered around 2005First registered around 2004First registered around 2003
How each part holds up as Phase 2 (facelift) cars age

How each part holds up as Phase 2 (facelift) cars age

The share of petrol cars built pre-2005 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car21 years22 years23 years24 years
Suspension55%60%60%53%
Brakes52%57%63%54%
Emissions46%42%31%31%
Tyres55%57%55%56%
Lighting72%75%74%70%
Drivetrain7%13%10%8%
Bodywork10%13%13%13%
Steering4%7%8%6%
Corrosion20%20%24%20%

Based on petrol cars in the pre-2005 build-year band, from 137 to 741 cars at each age.

All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common issues on Alfa Romeo 156 models of this age

This list covers every Alfa Romeo 156 built around 2004, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Phase 2 (facelift) on its own.

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 tests

Looking at an Alfa Romeo 156 Phase 2 (facelift) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2004 (21 years old), the Alfa Romeo 156 Phase 2 (facelift) (2003-2006) 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.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 537 MOT tests on Alfa Romeo 156 models first registered between 2003-2006. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.