2003 Alfa Romeo 156 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2003 Alfa Romeo 156 passed 72.8% of its 1,778 recorded MOT tests. Executive cars of a similar age fail 24.4% of the time, so this is 2.8pp 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 18.3% of tests against 10.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 197 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 36.0% versus 22.1%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 31.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 29.6% in 2021 to 21.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.3% | 326 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.5% | 186 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.1% | 162 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.5% | 151 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.4% | 114 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.4% | 113 |
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 | 197 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 99 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 94 |
| 4 | Washers | 75 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 75 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 73 |
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 | 31.9% | 567 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.0% | 463 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.9% | 372 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.7% | 351 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 13.6% | 242 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 11.1% | 197 |
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 | 204 | 22.1% |
| 60-90k | 472 | 20.1% |
| 90-120k | 541 | 27.5% |
| 120-150k | 348 | 34.5% |
| 150k+ | 200 | 36.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,466 | 26.1% |
| Diesel | 312 | 32.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 497 | 29.6% |
| 2022 | 423 | 29.5% |
| 2023 | 334 | 25.4% |
| 2024 | 288 | 26.4% |
| 2025 | 236 | 21.2% |
What to check before buying a 2003 156
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.5% 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 (9.1% 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 2003 Alfa Romeo 156s pass their MOT?
72.8% of the 1,778 2003 Alfa Romeo 156 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Alfa Romeo 156?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.3% of tests, followed by suspension (10.5%).
Does the 2003 156 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.1% in the 30-60k band to 36.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,778 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.