2005 Alfa Romeo 166 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 254 MOT tests, the 2005 Alfa Romeo 166 recorded a 71.7% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail at 27.6%, so the 2005 166 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (13.8%) and suspension (13.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, rbt (sp) and pins and bushes — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 18 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 16.1% in the 60-90k band and 33.3% in the 150k+ band, a 17.3-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 30.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 27.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 35.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 13.8% | 35 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.0% | 33 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 11.8% | 30 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.3% | 21 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.9% | 15 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.5% | 14 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 18 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 18 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 17 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 16 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 15 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 14 |
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 | 30.3% | 77 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.9% | 76 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.6% | 55 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.3% | 39 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 11.4% | 29 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.3% | 16 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 56 | 16.1% |
| 90-120k | 94 | 30.9% |
| 120-150k | 47 | 38.3% |
| 150k+ | 39 | 33.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 59 | 27.1% |
| 2022 | 60 | 30.0% |
| 2023 | 44 | 22.7% |
| 2024 | 43 | 25.6% |
| 2025 | 48 | 35.4% |
What to check before buying a 2005 166
On a 2005 166, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (13.8% 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.
- Suspension (13.0% 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 (11.8% 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 2005 Alfa Romeo 166s pass their MOT?
71.7% of the 254 2005 Alfa Romeo 166 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Alfa Romeo 166?
Brakes, recorded in 13.8% of tests, followed by suspension (13.0%).
Does the 2005 166 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.1% in the 60-90k band to 33.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 254 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.