How much does a 1997 ALFA ROMEO 164 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,777 (£231/month), including £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 ALFA ROMEO 164?

The 1997 ALFA ROMEO 164 has a 65% MOT pass rate based on 40 tests in 2026. This ranks 296 out of 320 cars from 1997.

ALFA ROMEO 164 (1997)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1997 ALFA ROMEO 164?

The average mileage for a 1997 ALFA ROMEO 164 is 102,585 miles, which is significantly below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 40 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,777

£231/month

MOT Pass Rate

65%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£430

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 30-42

2959cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

65% pass rate, £2777/year to run. 17 points below average.

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Petrol2959cc29 years old40 tests103k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2959cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 2959cc

£430

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,777

Per month£231/mo

Per week£53/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

65% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 17 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the ALFA ROMEO brand average of 80%.

At 29 years old, 65% of ALFA ROMEO 164s from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 40 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 102,585 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 cars296th of 320(top 92%)

Rank among ALFA ROMEO models150th of 158(top 95%)

vs national average-17%(82% avg)

vs 1997 cars average-10%(75% avg)

vs ALFA ROMEO average-15%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

102,585

Average miles

214,600

Expected for age

The average 1997 ALFA ROMEO 164 has 102,585 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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ALFA ROMEO 164 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1997	65%	40	102,585 mi
1996	73%	30	126,172 mi
1995	91%	45	115,982 mi
1994	80%	44	135,264 mi
1991	63%	30	131,005 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

1996 · 2490cc Petrol

£2,597/year

67%

+2%

BMW Z3

1999 · 3201cc Petrol

£2,397/year

78%

+13%

BMW 3 SERIES

1999 · 2494cc Petrol

£2,397/year

78%

+13%

PORSCHE 911

1999 · 3387cc Petrol

£2,247/year

87%

+22%

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About the 1997 ALFA ROMEO 164

The 1997 ALFA ROMEO 164 is a premium performance with a 2959cc petrol engine. 40 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 92% of 1997 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 102,585 miles at 29 years old, ALFA ROMEO 164 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.

1997 ALFA ROMEO 164 Fuel Costs

The 2959cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. 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 1997 ALFA ROMEO 164?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,777 (£231/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 65% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Buying a Used 1997 ALFA ROMEO 164

At 29 years old, the ALFA ROMEO 164 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. Note: with only 40 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1997 ALFA ROMEO 164's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 29 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 risk

Larger 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 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 103k 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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 65% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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 1997 ALFA ROMEO 164 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
ALFA ROMEO 164(1997)	65%	£1592	£430	Grp 30-42	£2777
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1996)	67%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2597-£180
BMW Z3(1999)	78%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2397-£380
BMW 3 SERIES(1999)	78%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2397-£380
PORSCHE 911(1999)	87%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£530

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.