Common Alfa Romeo 156 Problems, Faults, and Repair Costs
Every known Alfa Romeo 156 MOT issue, ranked by how common it is and what it costs to fix. Based on 2,379 real MOT tests across 9 model years.
Segment: premium | Fuel: Petrol
74%
Alfa Romeo 156 pass rate
80%
Alfa Romeo average
82%
National average
The Alfa Romeo 156 has an average MOT pass rate of 74%, which is 6 points below the Alfa Romeo average and 8 points below the national average. The ALFA ROMEO 156 has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 0 percentage points.
Check Your Alfa Romeo 156's MOT History
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Most Common Alfa Romeo 156 MOT Issues
Ranked by how likely they are to affect your Alfa Romeo 156, with typical repair costs
Brakes
High likelihood£80 - £450
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Brake discs worn, brake pads thin, handbrake adjustment needed
Failure points:
Brake disc excessively worn, brake pipe corroded, brake efficiency below minimum
Suspension
High likelihood£150 - £600
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Suspension arm bush worn, shock absorber misting, spring corroded
Failure points:
Coil spring broken, ball joint excessive play, shock absorber leaking
Lights
High likelihood£15 - £200
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Headlamp aim slightly out, lens deteriorated
Failure points:
Headlamp not working, brake light not functioning, indicator failure
Tyres
High likelihood£50 - £300
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Tyre approaching legal limit, slight damage to sidewall
Failure points:
Tyre below minimum tread depth, tyre has a cut exposing ply
Exhaust & Emissions
High likelihood£80 - £800
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Exhaust mounting corroded, slight exhaust leak
Failure points:
Exhaust emissions exceed limits, catalytic converter efficiency low, DPF warning
Steering
High likelihood£100 - £500
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Track rod end has slight play, steering rack boot deteriorated
Failure points:
Steering rack leaking, track rod ball joint worn beyond limits
Body & Structure
High likelihood£200 - £1200
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Surface corrosion on subframe, slight body panel damage
Failure points:
Structural corrosion, body mounting corroded through, chassis weakness
Windscreen & Wipers
Lower likelihood£10 - £350
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Minor windscreen chip, wiper blade deteriorated
Failure points:
Windscreen crack in swept area, wiper does not clear windscreen
Is your specific car affected?
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Alfa Romeo 156 Reliability by Year
MOT pass rate for each model year, based on real test data
Alfa Romeo 156 Running Costs
Want to know the full annual running costs for the Alfa Romeo 156? Including fuel, tax, insurance, and predicted repairs based on MOT history.
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Alfa Romeo 156 FAQ
What are the most common Alfa Romeo 156 problems?
The most common Alfa Romeo 156 MOT problems are brakes, suspension, lights, tyres, exhaust & emissions, steering, body & structure issues. These are the areas most likely to cause advisories or failures during an MOT test, based on 2,379 real tests.
Is the Alfa Romeo 156 reliable?
The Alfa Romeo 156 has an average MOT pass rate of 74%, which is 8 points below the national average of 82%. This is about average reliability.
Which year Alfa Romeo 156 is most reliable?
The 2003 Alfa Romeo 156 is the most reliable year with a 77% MOT pass rate. Avoid the 2007 model year if reliability is your priority, as it has the lowest pass rate at 62%.
How much does it cost to fix common Alfa Romeo 156 faults?
Repair costs vary by issue. Brake work on a Alfa Romeo 156 typically costs £80-£450, suspension repairs cost £150-£600, and exhaust/emissions fixes cost £80-£800. Lighting and wiper fixes are usually under £200.
Check a Specific Alfa Romeo 156
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Other Alfa Romeo Models
Common problems pages for other Alfa Romeo models