CarCostCheck

Alfa Romeo 147 (2005)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 375 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,228

£186/month

MOT Pass Rate

70%

Average

Road Tax

£275

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1598cc Petrol

Check Carefully

70% pass rate, £2,228/year to run. 12 points below average.

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Petrol1598cc21 years old375 tests97k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1598cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398
Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£275
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500
Total per year£2,228
Per month£186/mo
Per week£43/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

70% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 12 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Alfa Romeo brand average of 80%.

70% of MOT tests on Alfa Romeo 147s from 2005 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 19 years old. That's based on 375 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 96,835 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2005 models348th of 504(bottom half)
Rank among Alfa Romeo models131st of 158(bottom 18%)
vs average of all models-12%(82% avg)
vs 2005 models average-2%(72% avg)
vs Alfa Romeo average-10%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

96,835

Average miles

vs

140,600

Expected for age

The average 2005 Alfa Romeo 147 had 96,835 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 140,600 miles for a 19-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?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2004 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 78%, while the 2006 model has the lowest at 66%. The 2005 scores 70%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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

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About the 2005 Alfa Romeo 147

The 2005 Alfa Romeo 147 is a premium car. Our records list a 1598cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 375 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all models from 2005, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 96,835 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Alfa Romeo 147 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2005 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 £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2005 Alfa Romeo 147?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,228 (£186/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 70% 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 4 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 2005 Alfa Romeo 147

At 21 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

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

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 97k 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 2005 Alfa Romeo 147 stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrEst. Ins. GroupTotal/yr
Alfa Romeo 147(2005)70%£1,398£275Grp 12-25£2,228
Ford Focus(2007)73%£1,398£275Grp 12-25£2,228same
BMW 3 Series(2007)80%£1,631£325Grp 18-32£2,361+£133
MINI(2007)73%£1,398£275Grp 12-25£2,228same
Renault Clio(2007)68%£1,631£325Grp 18-32£2,711+£483

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2005 Alfa Romeo 147

Is the 2005 Alfa Romeo 147 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 70% of MOT tests on 2005 Alfa Romeo 147s ended in a pass, from 375 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 12 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2005 Alfa Romeo 147 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,228 a year (£186 a month): £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2005 Alfa Romeo 147?

70% of 375 MOT tests on the 2005 Alfa Romeo 147 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 348th of 504 models first registered in 2005 (bottom half).

Which year Alfa Romeo 147 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2004 Alfa Romeo 147 has the highest MOT pass rate at 78% and the 2006 the lowest at 66%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2005 Alfa Romeo 147?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2005 Alfa Romeo 147 is 96,835 miles, which is below the expected 140,600 miles for a 19-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Alfa Romeo 147.

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