2014 Alfa Romeo 4C — MOT failures & pass rate
506 MOT tests on the 2014 Alfa Romeo 4C are in this dataset, and 93.5% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (18.2% fail rate), the 2014 4C comes out 11.7pp better. Failures cluster in other defects, tyres and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — other defects (3.0%) and tyres (2.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are registration plates, tread depth and catalyst emissions — registration plates alone was recorded 18 times.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 10.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 6.5% in 2021 to 3.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Other defects | 3.0% | 15 |
| 2 | Tyres | 2.8% | 14 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.6% | 8 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 1.6% | 8 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.6% | 8 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.8% | 4 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Registration plates | 18 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 12 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 8 |
| 4 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 8 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 6 |
| 6 | Washers | 6 |
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 | 10.5% | 53 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.6% | 18 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.0% | 15 |
| 4 | Other defects | 2.2% | 11 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.2% | 6 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 443 | 5.2% |
| 30-60k | 51 | 19.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 107 | 6.5% |
| 2022 | 102 | 8.8% |
| 2023 | 101 | 5.9% |
| 2024 | 96 | 8.3% |
| 2025 | 100 | 3.0% |
What to check before buying a 2014 4C
On a 2014 4C, other defects is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Other defects (3.0% of tests): Miscellaneous items not in the main categories. Typical repair: varies.
- Tyres (2.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.6% 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 2014 Alfa Romeo 4Cs pass their MOT?
93.5% of the 506 2014 Alfa Romeo 4C MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Alfa Romeo 4C?
Other defects, recorded in 3.0% of tests, followed by tyres (2.8%).
Does the 2014 4C get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.2% in the 0-30k band to 19.6% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 506 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.