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ALFA ROMEO 147 (2002)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 219 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,957

£163/month

MOT Pass Rate

71%

Average

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1598cc Petrol

Check Carefully

71% pass rate, £1957/year to run. 11 points below average.

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Petrol1598cc24 years old219 tests92k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1598cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137
Road Tax

Based on 1598cc

£265
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500
Total per year£1,957
Per month£163/mo
Per week£38/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

71% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 11 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the ALFA ROMEO brand average of 80%.

At 24 years old, 71% of ALFA ROMEO 147s from 2002 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 219 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 91,972 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2002 cars259th of 403(top 64%)
Rank among ALFA ROMEO models127th of 158(top 80%)
vs national average-11%(82% avg)
vs 2002 cars average-2%(73% avg)
vs ALFA ROMEO average-9%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

91,972

Average miles

vs

177,600

Expected for age

The average 2002 ALFA ROMEO 147 has 91,972 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 177,600 miles for a 24-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2004 model with a 78% MOT pass rate, while the 2006 model has the lowest at 66%. The 2002 sits between the two at 71%.

ALFA ROMEO 147 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200974%340102,798 mi
200869%685105,409 mi
200768%62699,708 mi
200666%470101,968 mi
200570%37596,835 mi
200478%31487,401 mi
200374%35891,610 mi
200271%21991,972 mi
200167%8581,224 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 2002 ALFA ROMEO 147

The 2002 ALFA ROMEO 147 is a premium with a 1598cc petrol engine. 219 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 2002, the average MOT pass rate is 73%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 91,972 miles at 24 years old, ALFA ROMEO 147 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2002 ALFA ROMEO 147 Fuel Costs

The 1598cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2002 ALFA ROMEO 147?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,957 163/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 71% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

ALFA ROMEO 147 Reliability Trend

Older ALFA ROMEO 147s tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 3 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 2002 ALFA ROMEO 147

At 24 years old, the ALFA ROMEO 147 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2004 model has the highest pass rate at 78%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2002 ALFA ROMEO 147's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 92k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2002 ALFA ROMEO 147 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
ALFA ROMEO 147(2002)71%£1137£265Grp 12-25£1957
MINI MINI(2004)71%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£130
FORD FOCUS(2004)69%£1137£135Grp 12-25£2027+£70
FORD FIESTA(2003)71%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£235
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2004)67%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1922-£35

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

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Explore other Alfa romeo cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

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