CarCostCheck

ALFA ROMEO SPIDER (2003)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 186 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,907

£242/month

MOT Pass Rate

73%

Average

Road Tax

£760

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 35-50

3170cc Petrol

Check Carefully

73% pass rate, £2907/year to run. 9 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft
£4.99

Check a specific ALFA ROMEO SPIDER

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

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Petrol3170cc23 years old186 tests83k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 3170cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592
Road Tax

Based on 3170cc

£760
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500
Total per year£2,907
Per month£242/mo
Per week£56/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 SPIDER

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

73% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 9 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the ALFA ROMEO brand average of 80%.

At 23 years old, 73% of ALFA ROMEO SPIDERs from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 186 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 83,492 miles.

Got a ALFA ROMEO SPIDER you're looking at?

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

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 cars224th of 445(top 50%)
Rank among ALFA ROMEO models114th of 158(top 72%)
vs national average-9%(82% avg)
vs 2003 cars average+1%(72% avg)
vs ALFA ROMEO average-7%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

83,492

Average miles

vs

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2003 ALFA ROMEO SPIDER has 83,492 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Looking at a specific ALFA ROMEO SPIDER?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2004 model with a 87% MOT pass rate, while the 1997 model has the lowest at 71%. The 2003 sits between the two at 73%.

ALFA ROMEO SPIDER by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201198%4456,956 mi
201086%20166,384 mi
200983%23066,700 mi
200882%1,03669,381 mi
200779%1,01276,866 mi
200579%11359,726 mi
200487%10274,816 mi
200373%18683,492 mi
200283%20186,604 mi
200180%52282,494 mi
200073%28587,083 mi
199974%67287,986 mi
199873%53285,540 mi
199771%51589,378 mi
199674%32277,780 mi
199559%3771,483 mi
199384%5157,573 mi
199278%16078,273 mi
199181%29874,647 mi
199083%22164,287 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Check a Specific Alfa romeo Spider

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.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

About the 2003 ALFA ROMEO SPIDER

The 2003 ALFA ROMEO SPIDER is a premium performance with a 3170cc petrol engine. 186 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 2003, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 83,492 miles at 23 years old, ALFA ROMEO SPIDER 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.

2003 ALFA ROMEO SPIDER Fuel Costs

The 3170cc 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 2003 ALFA ROMEO SPIDER?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,907 242/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 73% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

ALFA ROMEO SPIDER Reliability Trend

Newer ALFA ROMEO SPIDERs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 5 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2003 ALFA ROMEO SPIDER

At 23 years old, the ALFA ROMEO SPIDER 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 2004 model has the highest pass rate at 87%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2003 ALFA ROMEO SPIDER'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.

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

Medium risk

With an average of 83k 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 SPIDER stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
ALFA ROMEO SPIDER(2003)73%£1592£760Grp 35-50£2907
BMW 3 SERIES(2001)77%£1592£250Grp 30-42£2397-£510
MERCEDES E(2004)78%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2397-£510
PORSCHE BOXSTER(2005)86%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2247-£660
VOLVO XC90(2005)73%£1592£250Grp 30-42£2397-£510

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.

Related Alfa romeo Models

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

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Alfa romeo Spider.

Check a specific ALFA ROMEO SPIDER

Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Premium History Check

Buying a ALFA ROMEO SPIDER? Our premium check covers:

  • Stolen check (PNC)
  • Outstanding finance
  • Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
  • Previous owners count
Just £4.99 per check

Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data

Share this page

X
GB