How much does a 2003 ALFA ROMEO 156 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,197 (£183/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 ALFA ROMEO 156?

The 2003 ALFA ROMEO 156 has a 77% MOT pass rate based on 501 tests in 2026. This ranks 143 out of 445 cars from 2003.

Which year ALFA ROMEO 156 is most reliable?

The 2003 ALFA ROMEO 156 has the highest MOT pass rate at 77%. The least reliable year is 2007 at 62%.

ALFA ROMEO 156 (2003)

Q: Is the 2003 ALFA ROMEO 156 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 77% of ALFA ROMEO 156s from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 501 tests. That's 5 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2003 ALFA ROMEO 156?

The average mileage for a 2003 ALFA ROMEO 156 is 96,918 miles, which is below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 501 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,197

£183/month

MOT Pass Rate

77%

Average

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1970cc Petrol

Check Carefully

77% pass rate, £2197/year to run. 5 points below average.

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Petrol1970cc23 years old501 tests97k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1970cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1970cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£2,197

Per month£183/mo

Per week£42/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

77% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 23 years old, 77% of ALFA ROMEO 156s from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 501 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 96,918 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 cars143th of 445(top 32%)

Rank among ALFA ROMEO models84th of 158(top 53%)

vs national average-5%(82% avg)

vs 2003 cars average+5%(72% avg)

vs ALFA ROMEO average-3%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

96,918

Average miles

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2003 ALFA ROMEO 156 has 96,918 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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ALFA ROMEO 156 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2007	62%	52	108,789 mi
2006	74%	39	85,414 mi
2005	75%	279	110,047 mi
2004	74%	390	103,205 mi
2003	77%	501	96,918 mi
2002	74%	348	101,741 mi
2001	77%	255	101,012 mi
2000	66%	193	97,204 mi
1999	76%	165	89,588 mi
1998	71%	157	97,618 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

MINI MINI

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£1,827/year

71%

-6%

FORD FOCUS

2005 · 1596cc Petrol

£1,827/year

71%

-6%

TOYOTA COROLLA

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£1,827/year

76%

-1%

RENAULT CLIO

2005 · 1998cc Petrol

£2,217/year

67%

-10%

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About the 2003 ALFA ROMEO 156

The 2003 ALFA ROMEO 156 is a premium with a 1970cc petrol engine. 501 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 2003, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 96,918 miles at 23 years old, ALFA ROMEO 156 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2003 ALFA ROMEO 156 Fuel Costs

The 1970cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2003 ALFA ROMEO 156?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,197 (£183/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 77% 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 2003 ALFA ROMEO 156

At 23 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.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2003 ALFA ROMEO 156's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 23 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.

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 2003 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(2003)	77%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£2197
MINI MINI(2005)	71%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£370
FORD FOCUS(2005)	71%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£370
TOYOTA COROLLA(2005)	76%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£370
RENAULT CLIO(2005)	67%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2217+£20

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.