2001 Alfa Romeo 147 — MOT failures & pass rate
445 MOT tests on the 2001 Alfa Romeo 147 are in this dataset, and 72.8% of them passed. That is effectively the same as small family cars of a similar age (27.9% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and seat belts & restraints.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.6% of tests against 10.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and srs malfunction indicator lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 33 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 34.3% versus 22.7%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 33.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 26.8% in 2021 to 25.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.6% | 83 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.6% | 47 |
| 3 | Seat belts & restraints | 8.5% | 38 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.6% | 34 |
| 5 | Brakes | 5.4% | 24 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.9% | 22 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 33 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 31 |
| 3 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 28 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 22 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 20 |
| 6 | Washers | 17 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 33.9% | 151 |
| 2 | Brakes | 32.4% | 144 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.8% | 115 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 15.5% | 69 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.3% | 68 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.4% | 64 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 119 | 22.7% |
| 60-90k | 114 | 25.4% |
| 90-120k | 102 | 28.4% |
| 120-150k | 67 | 34.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 138 | 26.8% |
| 2022 | 108 | 26.9% |
| 2023 | 84 | 26.2% |
| 2024 | 67 | 31.3% |
| 2025 | 48 | 25.0% |
What to check before buying a 2001 147
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.6% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Seat belts & restraints (8.5% of tests): Belt damage or faulty pretensioners — usually straightforward but safety-critical. Typical repair: £50–£300.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2001 Alfa Romeo 147s pass their MOT?
72.8% of the 445 2001 Alfa Romeo 147 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Alfa Romeo 147?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.6% of tests, followed by suspension (10.6%).
Does the 2001 147 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.7% in the 30-60k band to 34.3% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 445 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.