Diesel Alfa Romeo 159: MOT pass rate

60.1% of diesel Alfa Romeo 159s pass the MOT first time, measured across 2,616 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 127,657.

Diesel against the other Alfa Romeo 159 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 159 specifically, petrol is the strongest at 63.2%, and this diesel version sits 0.7 points below the 60.8% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. 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 159 had covered 127,657 miles at test, against 95,823 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 159 page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Alfa Romeo 159

1. Smoke opacity levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limit, 4.1% of tests (15.4x the national rate for this defect)
2. 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, 7.9% of tests (8.39x the national rate for this defect)
3. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 10.6% of tests (8.15x the national rate for this defect)
4. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 2.6% of tests (4.39x the national rate for this defect)
5. Parking brake inoperative on one side, 2.4% of tests (4.07x the national rate for this defect)
6. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 8.3% of tests (3.63x the national rate for this defect)
7. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 6% of tests (3.59x the national rate for this defect)
8. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 3% of tests (2.92x the national rate for this defect)
9. A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED, 2.4% of tests (1.95x the national rate for this defect)
10. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 9.2% of tests (1.83x the national rate for this defect)

From 2,639 DVSA-tracked diesel Alfa Romeo 159 tests, 2024, split out from the Alfa Romeo 159's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 5.51% 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 159

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

1. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 26.8% of tests (5.18x the national rate for this defect)
2. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 7.6% of tests (3.81x the national rate for this defect), also fails
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, 5.5% of tests (3.62x the national rate for this defect), also fails
4. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 19.2% of tests (3.45x the national rate for this defect)
5. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 4.2% of tests (3.38x the national rate for this defect)
6. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 4.6% of tests (3.35x the national rate for this defect), also fails
7. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 6.3% of tests (2.22x the national rate for this defect)
8. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 26.1% of tests (1.96x the national rate for this defect), also fails
9. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 47.1% of tests (1.77x the national rate for this defect)
10. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 17.9% of tests (1.46x the national rate for this defect)

From 2,639 DVSA-tracked diesel Alfa Romeo 159 tests, 2024.

Other Alfa Romeo 159 fuel types

• Petrol Alfa Romeo 159 - 63.2%

All Alfa Romeo 159 MOT data · Every model