ALFA ROMEO 156 (1999)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 165 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£2,577
£215/month
MOT Pass Rate
76%
Average
Road Tax
£430
Based on CC/year
Insurance
Grp 25-38
2492cc Petrol
Check Carefully
76% pass rate, £2577/year to run. 6 points below average.
Check a specific ALFA ROMEO 156
Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.
Annual Running Costs
~30 mpg
Based on 2492cc
Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.
Get an insurance quote for this ALFA ROMEO 156
Compare quotes and find the best deal
Reliability Verdict
Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 6 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the ALFA ROMEO brand average of 80%.
At 27 years old, 76% of ALFA ROMEO 156s from 1999 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 165 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 89,588 miles.
Got a ALFA ROMEO 156 you're looking at?
Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.
How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
89,588
Average miles
199,800
Expected for age
The average 1999 ALFA ROMEO 156 has 89,588 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.
Looking at a specific ALFA ROMEO 156?
Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.
Best Year to Buy?
The most reliable year is the 2003 model with a 77% MOT pass rate, while the 2007 model has the lowest at 62%. The 1999 sits between the two at 76%.
ALFA ROMEO 156 by Year
Similar Cars to Consider
Check a Specific Alfa romeo 156
Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.
Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.
About the 1999 ALFA ROMEO 156
The 1999 ALFA ROMEO 156 is a premium with a 2492cc petrol engine. 165 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1999, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model beats that benchmark.
With an average of 89,588 miles at 27 years old, ALFA ROMEO 156 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.
1999 ALFA ROMEO 156 Fuel Costs
The 2492cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).
What does it cost to own a 1999 ALFA ROMEO 156?
Total estimated annual running cost is £2,577 (£215/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 76% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.
ALFA ROMEO 156 Reliability Trend
The ALFA ROMEO 156 has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 0 percentage points.
Buying a Used 1999 ALFA ROMEO 156
At 27 years old, the ALFA ROMEO 156 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 2003 model has the highest pass rate at 77%.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 1999 ALFA ROMEO 156's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Timing Chain / Belt
Watch outAt 27 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.
Oil Consumption
Medium riskLarger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.
Rust and Corrosion
Watch outAt 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 outRubber 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 riskWith an average of 90k 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 riskHigh-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 riskAlways 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 1999 ALFA ROMEO 156 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Insurance | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALFA ROMEO 156(1999) | 76% | £1592 | £430 | Grp 25-38 | £2577 |
| BMW Z3(1998) | 77% | £1592 | £250 | Grp 30-42 | £2397-£180 |
| BMW 3 SERIES(1999) | 78% | £1592 | £250 | Grp 25-38 | £2397-£180 |
| MERCEDES SLK(1999) | 79% | £1592 | £250 | Grp 25-38 | £2397-£180 |
| PEUGEOT BOXER(1998) | 71% | £1327 | £135 | Grp 18-32 | £2017-£560 |
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.
Related Alfa romeo Models
Explore other Alfa romeo cars or similar models in the same category.
ALFA ROMEO GIULIETTA
2011 · 1956cc Diesel
ALFA ROMEO MITO
2009 · 1368cc Petrol
ALFA ROMEO GIULIA
2017 · 2891cc Petrol
BMW Z3
1998 · 2800cc Petrol
BMW 3 SERIES
1999 · 2494cc Petrol
MERCEDES SLK
1999 · 2298cc Petrol
Related Guides
In-depth articles relevant to the Alfa romeo 156.
Cheapest Cars to Run in 2026: Real Data from 19.8 Million MOT Tests
9 min read
Running CostsCheapest Cars to Insure in the UK: Insurance Groups 1-10
9 min read
Running CostsCheapest Cars to Run in the UK: A Complete Cost Breakdown
11 min read
Buying GuideFord Fiesta Common Problems (2026): What to Check Before Buying
13 min read
ReliabilityFord Puma Problems: 7 Issues Owners Report (2026)
13 min read
Check a specific ALFA ROMEO 156
Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.
Premium History Check
Buying a ALFA ROMEO 156? Our premium check covers:
- Stolen check (PNC)
- Outstanding finance
- Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
- Previous owners count
Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data