How much does a 2008 ALFA ROMEO 159 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,857 (£155/month), including £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2008 ALFA ROMEO 159?

The 2008 ALFA ROMEO 159 has a 71% MOT pass rate based on 1,527 tests in 2026. This ranks 425 out of 589 cars from 2008.

Which year ALFA ROMEO 159 is most reliable?

The 2012 ALFA ROMEO 159 has the highest MOT pass rate at 76%. The least reliable year is 2006 at 67%.

What is the average mileage for a 2008 ALFA ROMEO 159?

The average mileage for a 2008 ALFA ROMEO 159 is 125,069 miles, which is in line with the expected 133,200 miles for a 18-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

ALFA ROMEO 159 (2008)

Q: Is the 2008 ALFA ROMEO 159 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 71% of ALFA ROMEO 159s from 2008 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 1,527 tests. That's 11 points below the national average of 82%.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 1,527 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,857

£155/month

MOT Pass Rate

71%

Average

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1910cc Diesel

Check Carefully

71% pass rate, £1857/year to run. 11 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific ALFA ROMEO 159

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Diesel1910cc18 years old1,527 tests125k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1910cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037

Road Tax

Based on 1910cc

£265

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£1,857

Per month£155/mo

Per week£36/wk

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 159

Compare quotes and find the best deal

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 18 years old, 71% of ALFA ROMEO 159s from 2008 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 1,527 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 125,069 miles.

Got a ALFA ROMEO 159 you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2008 cars425th of 589(top 72%)

Rank among ALFA ROMEO models124th of 158(top 78%)

vs national average-11%(82% avg)

vs 2008 cars average-2%(73% avg)

vs ALFA ROMEO average-9%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

125,069

Average miles

133,200

Expected for age

The average 2008 ALFA ROMEO 159 has 125,069 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 133,200 miles for a 18-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

Looking at a specific ALFA ROMEO 159?

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 2012 model with a 76% MOT pass rate, while the 2006 model has the lowest at 67%. The 2008 sits between the two at 71%.

ALFA ROMEO 159 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2012	76%	149	100,949 mi
2011	74%	998	123,403 mi
2010	71%	1,406	121,658 mi
2009	72%	1,517	122,974 mi
2008	71%	1,527	125,069 mi
2007	69%	1,364	118,491 mi
2006	67%	418	120,657 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VAUXHALL ASTRA

2010 · 1910cc Diesel

£1,727/year

74%

+3%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

2010 · 1896cc Diesel

£1,727/year

77%

+6%

VOLKSWAGEN POLO

2010 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,595/year

74%

+3%

HONDA CIVIC

2007 · 2204cc Diesel

£2,050/year

72%

+1%

Check a Specific Alfa romeo 159

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 2008 ALFA ROMEO 159

The 2008 ALFA ROMEO 159 is a premium with a 1910cc diesel engine. 1,527 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2008, the average MOT pass rate is 73%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 125,069 miles at 18 years old, ALFA ROMEO 159 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2008 ALFA ROMEO 159 Fuel Costs

The 1910cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,037 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2008 ALFA ROMEO 159?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,857 (£155/month), broken down as £1037 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 159 Reliability Trend

Newer ALFA ROMEO 159s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 4 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2008 ALFA ROMEO 159

At 18 years old, the ALFA ROMEO 159 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 2012 model has the highest pass rate at 76%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2008 ALFA ROMEO 159's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

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

Watch out

With an average of 125k 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.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

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 2008 ALFA ROMEO 159 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
ALFA ROMEO 159(2008)	71%	£1037	£265	Grp 18-32	£1857
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2010)	74%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1727-£130
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2010)	77%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1727-£130
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2010)	74%	£905	£135	Grp 12-25	£1595-£262
HONDA CIVIC(2007)	72%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050+£193

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.