Petrol Alfa Romeo 159: MOT pass rate

63.2% of petrol Alfa Romeo 159s pass the MOT first time, measured across 793 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 95,823.

Petrol against the other Alfa Romeo 159 versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Petrol cars avoid the DPF and emissions failures that catch diesels, and usually fail on the same consumables as any other car.

On the Alfa Romeo 159 specifically, petrol is the strongest at 63.2%, and this petrol version sits 2.4 points above the 60.8% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

The petrol Alfa Romeo 159 is the stronger side of this model on MOT data. Still judge the individual car, but the fuel type is a mild point in its favour. 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 petrol Alfa Romeo 159 had covered 95,823 miles at test, against 127,657 for the diesel. That is above average and into the range where cambelts and water pumps are due if they have not already been done, so ask for the service history rather than take the mileage on trust.

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 petrol Alfa Romeo 159

1. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 2.5% of tests (7.1x the national rate for this defect)
2. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 5.7% of tests (4.38x the national rate for this defect)
3. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 2.6% of tests (4.38x the national rate for this defect)
4. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 5.5% of tests (4.27x the national rate for this defect)
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, 3.8% of tests (4.07x the national rate for this defect)
6. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 7.4% of tests (3.27x the national rate for this defect)
7. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 4.7% of tests (2.81x the national rate for this defect)
8. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 2.9% of tests (2.75x the national rate for this defect)
9. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 2.7% of tests (2.7x the national rate for this defect)
10. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 2.5% of tests (1.47x the national rate for this defect)

From 806 DVSA-tracked petrol Alfa Romeo 159 tests, 2024, split out from the Alfa Romeo 159's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 5.76% 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 petrol Alfa Romeo 159

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

1. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 8.7% of tests (4.35x the national rate for this defect), also fails
2. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 21.2% of tests (4.1x the national rate for this defect), also fails
3. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 9.4% of tests (3.31x the national rate for this defect), also fails
4. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 3.8% of tests (3.09x the national rate for this defect)
5. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 3.3% of tests (2.45x the national rate for this defect), also fails
6. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 13.5% of tests (2.43x the national rate for this defect)
7. 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, 2.5% of tests (1.63x the national rate for this defect), also fails
8. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 35.7% of tests (1.34x the national rate for this defect)
9. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 16.3% of tests (1.33x the national rate for this defect)
10. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 17.4% of tests (1.3x the national rate for this defect)

From 806 DVSA-tracked petrol Alfa Romeo 159 tests, 2024.

Other Alfa Romeo 159 fuel types

• Diesel Alfa Romeo 159 - 60.1%

All Alfa Romeo 159 MOT data · Every model