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Alfa Romeo Spider reliability by build year

Coverage 2006-20101 named generationConvertibleDIESEL / PETROL
At a glance

Alfa Romeo Spider built before 2000: about average at the MOT

Alfa Romeo Spiders built before 2000 fail their MOT a little more often than similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check an Alfa Romeo Spider by number plate

Key figure

26% of MOT tests on Alfa Romeo Spiders built before 2000 ended in a fail (retests included), against 22% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Alfa Romeo Spiders built before 2000 involves fluid leaks.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

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

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks 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.

Axles & Wheels

Worth checking

Inspect the axles & wheels carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

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.

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 Spider's generation

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

Spider Series 1 (939)

Series 1 (939) (2006-2010)

Excellent
PETROLDIESEL

24.2% fail rate, built around 2008 (17 years old)

Likely between 21.0% and 27.6%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.2%)

From 658 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

PETROL

25.8% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 1,562 MOT tests at this ageNo separate page

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 Spider.

See every build year for the Alfa Romeo Spider

Side-by-side

Alfa Romeo Spider generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Series 1 (939) (2006-2010)
Excellent
Excellent24.2%likely between 21.0% and 27.6%built around 2008 (17 years old)from 658 MOT tests at this age
Older models (before 2005)
No rating
No rating25.8%built before 2000 (over 25 years old)from 1,562 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Spider, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Alfa Romeo Spider fail rate by age

This chart combines every Alfa Romeo Spider 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
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
5911.9%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
9814.3%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
38820.4%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
65824.2%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
24820.6%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
5512.7%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
9124.2%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
11825.4%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
22320.6%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
23228.4%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
1,56225.8%

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 24 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 25+ year old Alfa Romeo Spiders

These issues come from 25+ year old Alfa Romeo Spiders, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    21.4%
    Advisory: 383Fail: 4 (1% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    11.5%
    Advisory: 361Fail: 7 (2% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

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

    10.8%
    Advisory: 220Fail: 41 (16% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    10.5%
    Advisory: 241Fail: 4 (2% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Exhaust has a minor leak

    10.5%
    Advisory: 150Fail: 27 (15% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,562 MOT tests on 25+ year old Alfa Romeo Spiders, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 25+ year old Alfa Romeo Spiders 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. Brakes + Suspension34%
  2. Fuel & oil + Suspension26%
  3. Brakes + Fuel & oil24%
  4. Other + Suspension22%

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

Across 790 MOT tests on Alfa Romeo Spider cars built before 2000 (over 25 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 Spider.

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

4 recalls in all

All 4 Alfa Romeo Spider recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 4 recalls

Top concerns

  • Brakes may fail
  • Possible loss of vehicle control
  • Security of seat belt

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

Like-for-like

Other convertibles to compare

Other convertibles to compare

  1. 1

    TVR Chimaera

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.3%
    Dangerous
    2.1%

    Lower fail rate: 12.5%, against 25.8% for the Alfa Romeo Spider, both built before 2000.

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

    2,536 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  2. 2

    Triumph TR6

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.9%
    Dangerous
    2.4%

    Lower fail rate: 12.9%, against 25.8% for the Alfa Romeo Spider, both built before 2000.

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

    1,028 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  3. 3

    MG B

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.5%

    Lower fail rate: 15.5%, against 25.8% for the Alfa Romeo Spider, both built before 2000.

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

    2,865 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  4. 4

    Morgan 4/4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6%
    Dangerous
    1.9%

    Lower fail rate: 15.2%, against 25.8% for the Alfa Romeo Spider, both built before 2000.

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

    1,071 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

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.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the Alfa Romeo Spider across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 1,562 25+ 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 Spider ever sold: 3,732 tests. The main figures are for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old): 1,562 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.