2001 Alfa Romeo 156 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,120 MOT tests, the 2001 Alfa Romeo 156 recorded a 73.9% pass rate. Executive cars of a similar age fail 24.1% of the time, so this is 2.0pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.5% of tests against 10.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and component mounting prescribed areas — headlamp aim alone was recorded 108 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 16.0% in the 30-60k band and 33.5% in the 150k+ band, a 17.6-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 33.8% 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 24.7% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.5% | 174 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.9% | 122 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.4% | 117 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.0% | 101 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.3% | 70 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.2% | 69 |
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 | 108 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 68 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 59 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 45 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 45 |
| 6 | Joints | 44 |
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 | 33.8% | 378 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.5% | 308 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.8% | 255 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.6% | 220 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 14.5% | 162 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.0% | 135 |
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 | 163 | 16.0% |
| 60-90k | 282 | 22.3% |
| 90-120k | 310 | 28.4% |
| 120-150k | 176 | 31.3% |
| 150k+ | 161 | 33.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 999 | 25.1% |
| Diesel | 121 | 33.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 310 | 26.8% |
| 2022 | 259 | 27.0% |
| 2023 | 220 | 26.4% |
| 2024 | 181 | 24.3% |
| 2025 | 150 | 24.7% |
What to check before buying a 2001 156
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.9% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.4% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 156s pass their MOT?
73.9% of the 1,120 2001 Alfa Romeo 156 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Alfa Romeo 156?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.5% of tests, followed by suspension (10.9%).
Does the 2001 156 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.0% in the 30-60k band to 33.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,120 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.