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ALFA ROMEO 166 (2001)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 67 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,777

£231/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£430

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 30-42

2950cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £2777/year to run. 13 points below average.

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Petrol2950cc25 years old67 tests104k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2950cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592
Road Tax

Based on 2950cc

£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

69% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 13 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the ALFA ROMEO brand average of 80%.

At 25 years old, 69% of ALFA ROMEO 166s from 2001 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 67 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 104,185 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2001 cars272th of 362(top 75%)
Rank among ALFA ROMEO models139th of 158(top 88%)
vs national average-13%(82% avg)
vs 2001 cars average-4%(73% avg)
vs ALFA ROMEO average-11%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

104,185

Average miles

vs

185,000

Expected for age

The average 2001 ALFA ROMEO 166 has 104,185 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 185,000 miles for a 25-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2004 model with a 79% MOT pass rate, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 69%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

ALFA ROMEO 166 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200573%73100,480 mi
200479%61107,938 mi
200363%3592,585 mi
200266%4790,786 mi
200169%67104,185 mi
200062%45111,782 mi
199984%43127,482 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 2001 ALFA ROMEO 166

The 2001 ALFA ROMEO 166 is a premium performance with a 2950cc petrol engine. 67 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 2001, the average MOT pass rate is 73%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 104,185 miles at 25 years old, ALFA ROMEO 166 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2001 ALFA ROMEO 166 Fuel Costs

The 2950cc 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 2001 ALFA ROMEO 166?

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 69% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

ALFA ROMEO 166 Reliability Trend

Newer ALFA ROMEO 166s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 7 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2001 ALFA ROMEO 166

At 25 years old, the ALFA ROMEO 166 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 67 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2001 ALFA ROMEO 166's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 25 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 104k 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 69% 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 2001 ALFA ROMEO 166 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
ALFA ROMEO 166(2001)69%£1592£430Grp 30-42£2777
BMW 3 SERIES(2001)77%£1592£250Grp 30-42£2397-£380
BMW Z3(1999)78%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2397-£380
BMW Z4(2003)79%£1592£250Grp 25-38£2397-£380
PORSCHE BOXSTER(2003)82%£1592£250Grp 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.

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Explore other Alfa romeo cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

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