Diesel Alfa Romeo 147: MOT pass rate

58% of diesel Alfa Romeo 147s pass the MOT first time, measured across 626 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 114,160.

Diesel against the other Alfa Romeo 147 versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the Alfa Romeo 147 specifically, petrol is the strongest at 64.6%, and this diesel version sits 4.4 points below the 62.4% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

The diesel Alfa Romeo 147 fails more often than the model average, so budget for the items that catch this fuel type and treat a fresh MOT as worth paying for. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel Alfa Romeo 147 had covered 114,160 miles at test, against 87,565 for the petrol. That is high mileage, so timing belts, clutches, suspension bushes and corrosion are the items worth budgeting for rather than the MOT itself.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Alfa Romeo 147 page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Alfa Romeo 147

1. Smoke opacity levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limit, 3% of tests (11.24x the national rate for this defect)
2. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 3.5% of tests (8.45x the national rate for this defect)
3. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 6.8% of tests (7.23x the national rate for this defect)
4. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 6.5% of tests (5x the national rate for this defect)
5. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 7.6% of tests (4.52x the national rate for this defect)
6. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 21% of tests (4.17x the national rate for this defect)
7. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 7.3% of tests (3.11x the national rate for this defect)
8. A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 4.6% of tests (3.01x the national rate for this defect)
9. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 3.8% of tests (2.92x the national rate for this defect)
10. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 4.3% of tests (2.55x the national rate for this defect)

From 630 DVSA-tracked diesel Alfa Romeo 147 tests, 2024, split out from the Alfa Romeo 147's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 5.31% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel Alfa Romeo 147

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 18.3% of tests (3.86x the national rate for this defect)
2. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 10.3% of tests (3.63x the national rate for this defect)
3. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 14.4% of tests (2.79x the national rate for this defect)
4. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 3.3% of tests (2.68x the national rate for this defect), also fails
5. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 4% of tests (2.61x the national rate for this defect), also fails
6. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 3.3% of tests (2.43x the national rate for this defect)
7. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 32.2% of tests (2.41x the national rate for this defect), also fails
8. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 26.8% of tests (2.19x the national rate for this defect)
9. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 10% of tests (1.8x the national rate for this defect)
10. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 37.8% of tests (1.42x the national rate for this defect)

From 630 DVSA-tracked diesel Alfa Romeo 147 tests, 2024.

Other Alfa Romeo 147 fuel types

• Petrol Alfa Romeo 147 - 64.6%

All Alfa Romeo 147 MOT data · Every model