2012 Alfa Romeo 159 — MOT failures & pass rate
595 MOT tests on the 2012 Alfa Romeo 159 are in this dataset, and 74.8% of them passed. That is 7.0 percentage points worse than executive cars of a similar age, which fail at 18.3%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (13.5%) and lighting & signalling (10.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, headlamp and headlamp aim — coil spring alone was recorded 56 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 21.1% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 35.1% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 26.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 25.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 28.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 13.5% | 80 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 10.9% | 65 |
| 3 | Tyres | 6.9% | 41 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.4% | 38 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.4% | 20 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.2% | 19 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 56 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 27 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 24 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 24 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 23 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 18 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 26.1% | 155 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.0% | 125 |
| 3 | Suspension | 17.3% | 103 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 11.4% | 68 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.2% | 49 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 6.2% | 37 |
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 | 104 | 21.1% |
| 60-90k | 190 | 26.8% |
| 90-120k | 104 | 23.1% |
| 120-150k | 121 | 26.5% |
| 150k+ | 57 | 35.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 323 | 27.9% |
| Petrol | 272 | 22.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 135 | 25.9% |
| 2022 | 129 | 24.0% |
| 2023 | 117 | 24.8% |
| 2024 | 108 | 23.2% |
| 2025 | 106 | 28.3% |
What to check before buying a 2012 159
On a 2012 159, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (13.5% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (10.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (6.9% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2012 Alfa Romeo 159s pass their MOT?
74.8% of the 595 2012 Alfa Romeo 159 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Alfa Romeo 159?
Suspension, recorded in 13.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (10.9%).
Does the 2012 159 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.1% in the 30-60k band to 35.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 595 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.