Alfa Romeo 164 (1997)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 40 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£3,088

£257/month

MOT Pass Rate

65%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 30-42

2959cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

65% pass rate, £3,088/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

£1,958

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£3,088

Per month£257/mo

Per week£59/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

65% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 17 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Alfa Romeo brand average of 80%.

65% of MOT tests on Alfa Romeo 164s from 1997 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 27 years old. That's based on 40 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 102,585 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 models283rd of 306(bottom 8%)

Rank among Alfa Romeo models150th of 158(bottom 6%)

vs average of all models-17%(82% avg)

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

vs Alfa Romeo average-15%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

102,585

Average miles

199,800

Expected for age

The average 1997 Alfa Romeo 164 had 102,585 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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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

BMW Z3

1999 · 3201cc Petrol

£2,888/year

78%

+13%

BMW 3 Series

1999 · 2494cc Petrol

£2,888/year

78%

+13%

Porsche 911

1999 · 3387cc Petrol

£2,738/year

87%

+22%

Porsche Boxster

1999 · 2687cc Petrol

£2,738/year

81%

+16%

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About the 1997 Alfa Romeo 164

The 1997 Alfa Romeo 164 is a premium performance car. Our records list a 2959cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 40 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 8% of 1997 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 102,585 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Alfa Romeo 164 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

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 £1,958 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 1997 Alfa Romeo 164?

Total estimated annual running cost is £3,088 (£257/month), broken down as £1,958 fuel, £375 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

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.

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 estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Alfa Romeo 164(1997)	65%	£1,958	£375	Grp 30-42	£3,088
BMW Z3(1999)	78%	£1,958	£375	Grp 35-50	£2,888-£200
BMW 3 Series(1999)	78%	£1,958	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,888-£200
Porsche 911(1999)	87%	£1,958	£375	Grp 35-50	£2,738-£350
Porsche Boxster(1999)	81%	£1,958	£375	Grp 30-42	£2,738-£350

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 1997 Alfa Romeo 164

Is the 1997 Alfa Romeo 164 reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 65% of MOT tests on 1997 Alfa Romeo 164s ended in a pass, from 40 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 17 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1997 Alfa Romeo 164 cost to run?

Our estimate is £3,088 a year (£257 a month): £1,958 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 Alfa Romeo 164?

65% of 40 MOT tests on the 1997 Alfa Romeo 164 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 283rd of 306 models first registered in 1997 (bottom 8%).

What is the average mileage for a 1997 Alfa Romeo 164?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1997 Alfa Romeo 164 is 102,585 miles, which is below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.