2007 Alfa Romeo 159 — MOT failures & pass rate
5,693 MOT tests on the 2007 Alfa Romeo 159 are in this dataset, and 68.9% of them passed. Against executive cars of a similar age (23.0% fail rate), the 2007 159 comes out 8.1pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 17.8% of all tests — 4.8 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), coil spring and component mounting prescribed areas — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 477 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 22.5% in the 30-60k band and 32.0% in the 150k+ band, a 9.6-point spread.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.1pp more often than petrol ones (31.8% vs 28.7%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 34.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 17.8% | 1,016 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.1% | 745 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 11.3% | 643 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.3% | 415 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.9% | 391 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.2% | 354 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 477 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 449 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 433 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 270 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 246 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 205 |
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 | 34.1% | 1,940 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.4% | 1,732 |
| 3 | Brakes | 24.4% | 1,390 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 14.6% | 831 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.7% | 781 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 10.6% | 605 |
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 | 267 | 22.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,065 | 27.3% |
| 90-120k | 1,748 | 31.1% |
| 120-150k | 1,486 | 34.5% |
| 150k+ | 1,111 | 32.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 4,280 | 31.8% |
| Petrol | 1,413 | 28.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,784 | 31.7% |
| 2022 | 1,407 | 30.0% |
| 2023 | 1,067 | 30.3% |
| 2024 | 825 | 32.1% |
| 2025 | 610 | 31.5% |
What to check before buying a 2007 159
On a 2007 159, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (17.8% 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 (13.1% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (11.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2007 Alfa Romeo 159s pass their MOT?
68.9% of the 5,693 2007 Alfa Romeo 159 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Alfa Romeo 159?
Suspension, recorded in 17.8% of tests, followed by brakes (13.1%).
Does the 2007 159 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.5% in the 30-60k band to 32.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,693 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.