2005 Alfa Romeo 147 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,700 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Alfa Romeo 147, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 70.5% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 36.3% in the 150k+ group versus 19.9% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.3% | 260 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.9% | 236 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.1% | 188 |
| 4 | Visibility | 8.8% | 149 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.1% | 138 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 6.3% | 107 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 114 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 112 |
| 3 | Washers | 107 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 96 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 72 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 70 |
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 | 38.5% | 655 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.5% | 501 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.9% | 424 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.9% | 321 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 13.9% | 236 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 12.0% | 204 |
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 | 262 | 19.9% |
| 60-90k | 445 | 26.5% |
| 90-120k | 555 | 32.1% |
| 120-150k | 294 | 36.4% |
| 150k+ | 124 | 36.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,131 | 27.5% |
| Diesel | 569 | 33.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 561 | 32.4% |
| 2022 | 386 | 27.7% |
| 2023 | 313 | 27.8% |
| 2024 | 243 | 28.4% |
| 2025 | 197 | 28.4% |
What to check before buying a 2005 147
Before buying a 2005 Alfa Romeo 147, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 15.3% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (15.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.9% 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.
- Brakes (11.1% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2005 Alfa Romeo 147s pass their MOT?
70.5% of the 1,700 2005 Alfa Romeo 147 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Alfa Romeo 147?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.3% of tests, followed by suspension (13.9%).
Does the 2005 147 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.9% in the 30-60k band to 36.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,700 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.