2002 Alfa Romeo 156 — MOT failures & pass rate
1,358 MOT tests on the 2002 Alfa Romeo 156 are in this dataset, and 73.6% of them passed. Executive cars of a similar age fail 24.3% of the time, so this is 2.2pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 15.5% of all tests — 4.6 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and pins and bushes — headlamp aim alone was recorded 118 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.8% in the 30-60k band and 34.0% in the 150k+ band, a 19.2-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 31.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 28.9% in 2021 to 20.6% 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% | 210 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.8% | 147 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.5% | 129 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.2% | 125 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.8% | 106 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.7% | 91 |
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 | 118 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 76 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 75 |
| 4 | Washers | 72 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 64 |
| 6 | Wipers | 63 |
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 | 31.7% | 431 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.5% | 360 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.2% | 288 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.3% | 249 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 14.0% | 190 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 10.1% | 137 |
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 | 162 | 14.8% |
| 60-90k | 316 | 23.7% |
| 90-120k | 411 | 29.9% |
| 120-150k | 235 | 26.8% |
| 150k+ | 209 | 34.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,217 | 26.1% |
| Diesel | 141 | 29.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 373 | 28.9% |
| 2022 | 323 | 28.8% |
| 2023 | 249 | 24.9% |
| 2024 | 233 | 25.3% |
| 2025 | 180 | 20.6% |
What to check before buying a 2002 156
On a 2002 156, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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 (10.8% 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 (9.5% 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 2002 Alfa Romeo 156s pass their MOT?
73.6% of the 1,358 2002 Alfa Romeo 156 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Alfa Romeo 156?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.5% of tests, followed by suspension (10.8%).
Does the 2002 156 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.8% in the 30-60k band to 34.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,358 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.