Alfa Romeo Spider (2004)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 102 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,361

£197/month

MOT Pass Rate

87%

Good

Road Tax

£325

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1970cc Petrol

Solid Option

87% pass rate, £2,361/year to run. 5 points above 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.

Petrol1970cc22 years old102 tests75k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1970cc)

~36 mpg

£1,631

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£325

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,361

Per month£197/mo

Per week£45/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

87% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Alfa Romeo brand average of 80%.

87% of MOT tests on Alfa Romeo Spiders from 2004 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 20 years old. That's based on 102 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 74,816 miles.

Got a Alfa Romeo Spider you're looking at?

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

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 models57th of 470(top 13%)

Rank among Alfa Romeo models47th of 158(top half)

vs average of all models+5%(82% avg)

vs 2004 models average+15%(72% avg)

vs Alfa Romeo average+7%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

74,816

Average miles

148,000

Expected for age

The average 2004 Alfa Romeo Spider had 74,816 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Looking at a specific Alfa Romeo Spider?

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

Alfa Romeo Spider by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2011	98%	44	56,956 mi
2010	86%	201	66,384 mi
2009	83%	230	66,700 mi
2008	82%	1,036	69,381 mi
2007	79%	1,012	76,866 mi
2005	79%	113	59,726 mi
2004	87%	102	74,816 mi
2003	73%	186	83,492 mi
2002	83%	201	86,604 mi
2001	80%	522	82,494 mi
2000	73%	285	87,083 mi
1999	74%	672	87,986 mi
1998	73%	532	85,540 mi
1997	71%	515	89,378 mi
1996	74%	322	77,780 mi
1995	59%	37	71,483 mi
1993	84%	51	57,573 mi
1992	78%	160	78,273 mi
1991	81%	298	74,647 mi
1990	83%	221	64,287 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Focus

2006 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

73%

-14%

MINI

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,228/year

71%

-16%

BMW 3 Series

2006 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,361/year

80%

-7%

Renault Clio

2006 · 1998cc Petrol

£2,711/year

68%

-19%

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.

About the 2004 Alfa Romeo Spider

The 2004 Alfa Romeo Spider is a premium car. Our records list a 1970cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 102 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 13% of all 2004 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 74,816 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Alfa Romeo Spider owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2004 Alfa Romeo Spider Fuel Costs

The 1970cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,631 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 2004 Alfa Romeo Spider?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,361 (£197/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £325 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 87% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Alfa Romeo Spider Reliability Trend

Newer Alfa Romeo Spiders pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 5 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2004 Alfa Romeo Spider

At 22 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.

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 22 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.

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.

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 2004 Alfa Romeo Spider 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 Spider(2004)	87%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,361
Ford Focus(2006)	73%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£133
MINI(2005)	71%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£133
BMW 3 Series(2006)	80%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,361same
Renault Clio(2006)	68%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,711+£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 2004 Alfa Romeo Spider

Is the 2004 Alfa Romeo Spider reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 87% of MOT tests on 2004 Alfa Romeo Spiders ended in a pass, from 102 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 5 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2004 Alfa Romeo Spider cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,361 a year (£197 a month): £1,631 fuel, £325 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 Alfa Romeo Spider?

87% of 102 MOT tests on the 2004 Alfa Romeo Spider ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 57th of 470 models first registered in 2004 (top 13%).

Which year Alfa Romeo Spider has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2004 Alfa Romeo Spider has the highest MOT pass rate at 87% and the 1997 the lowest at 71%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2004 Alfa Romeo Spider?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2004 Alfa Romeo Spider is 74,816 miles, which is below the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.