2008 Alfa Romeo Gt — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,687 MOT tests, the 2008 Alfa Romeo Gt recorded a 67.5% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 26.1% of the time, so this is 6.5pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (17.4%) and suspension (17.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, headlamp aim and component mounting prescribed areas — pins and bushes alone was recorded 399 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 25.1% in the 30-60k band and 36.6% in the 150k+ band, a 11.5-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 32.0% of the time against 32.9% for diesel.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 34.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.4% | 641 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.0% | 625 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.2% | 377 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.4% | 347 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.7% | 283 |
| 6 | Tyres | 7.4% | 273 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 399 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 384 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 321 |
| 4 | Washers | 242 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 239 |
| 6 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 158 |
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 | 34.9% | 1,287 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.9% | 993 |
| 3 | Brakes | 25.3% | 931 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.6% | 760 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 12.1% | 446 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 9.0% | 332 |
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 | 287 | 25.1% |
| 60-90k | 987 | 30.0% |
| 90-120k | 1,404 | 33.8% |
| 120-150k | 707 | 35.1% |
| 150k+ | 287 | 36.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,218 | 32.9% |
| Petrol | 1,469 | 32.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,006 | 33.1% |
| 2022 | 874 | 31.6% |
| 2023 | 734 | 32.1% |
| 2024 | 599 | 31.9% |
| 2025 | 474 | 34.4% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Gt
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.0% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.2% 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 2008 Alfa Romeo Gts pass their MOT?
67.5% of the 3,687 2008 Alfa Romeo Gt MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Alfa Romeo Gt?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.4% of tests, followed by suspension (17.0%).
Does the 2008 Gt get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.1% in the 30-60k band to 36.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,687 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.