2004 Alfa Romeo Gt — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 923 MOT tests, the 2004 Alfa Romeo Gt recorded a 70.8% pass rate. That is 1.5 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.7%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.0% of tests against 11.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, component mounting prescribed areas and prescribed areas — headlamp aim alone was recorded 83 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 40.0% versus 17.7%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 28.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 29.4% in 2021 to 26.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.0% | 157 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.6% | 107 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.8% | 90 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.4% | 87 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.0% | 74 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 7.6% | 70 |
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 | 83 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 68 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 63 |
| 4 | Washers | 61 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 51 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 51 |
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 | 28.3% | 261 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.5% | 235 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.4% | 216 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.4% | 170 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 14.3% | 132 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 10.9% | 101 |
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 | 79 | 17.7% |
| 60-90k | 225 | 28.0% |
| 90-120k | 332 | 27.7% |
| 120-150k | 198 | 34.8% |
| 150k+ | 80 | 40.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 690 | 27.0% |
| Diesel | 233 | 36.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 252 | 29.4% |
| 2022 | 218 | 28.9% |
| 2023 | 197 | 34.5% |
| 2024 | 142 | 24.6% |
| 2025 | 114 | 26.3% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Gt
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.6% 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 (9.8% 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 2004 Alfa Romeo Gts pass their MOT?
70.8% of the 923 2004 Alfa Romeo Gt MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Alfa Romeo Gt?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.0% of tests, followed by suspension (11.6%).
Does the 2004 Gt get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.7% in the 30-60k band to 40.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 923 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.