Alfa Romeo Gtv MOT pass rate & common failures
Across 41 model years and 7,946 tests, the Alfa Romeo Gtv passes its MOT 71.7% of the time. Against all cars of a similar age (26.2% fail rate), the Gtv comes out 2.1pp worse. Its most common failure areas are brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: brakes, recorded in 16.8% of tests against 9.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), catalyst emissions and service brake performance — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 925 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 19.0% in the 0-30k band and 33.8% in the 150k+ band, a 14.8-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 29.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
By model year
Every Gtv model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 85 | 80.0% | 20.0% | Brakes |
| 1984 | 108 | 82.4% | 17.6% | Brakes |
| 1985 | 40 | 90.0% | 10.0% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1986 | 38 | 81.6% | 18.4% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1996 | 228 | 67.5% | 32.5% | Brakes |
| 1997 | 373 | 73.5% | 26.5% | Brakes |
| 1998 | 992 | 69.5% | 30.5% | Brakes |
| 1999 | 1,536 | 68.0% | 32.0% | Brakes |
| 2000 | 1,134 | 69.8% | 30.2% | Brakes |
| 2001 | 1,162 | 73.3% | 26.7% | Brakes |
| 2002 | 973 | 75.3% | 24.7% | Brakes |
| 2003 | 535 | 70.5% | 29.5% | Brakes |
| 2004 | 401 | 73.3% | 26.7% | Brakes |
| 2005 | 187 | 71.7% | 28.3% | Brakes |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 16.8% | 1,333 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.3% | 741 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 9.3% | 738 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.2% | 650 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.8% | 543 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.7% | 449 |
| 7 | Seat belts & restraints | 4.6% | 368 |
| 8 | Tyres | 3.1% | 250 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 925 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 647 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 502 |
| 4 | Joints | 375 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 355 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 295 |
| 7 | Washers | 278 |
| 8 | Wipers | 277 |
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 | 29.9% | 2,378 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.9% | 2,294 |
| 3 | Tyres | 16.6% | 1,319 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.6% | 1,319 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 15.0% | 1,196 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.0% | 477 |
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 | 221 | 19.0% |
| 30-60k | 1,100 | 21.7% |
| 60-90k | 2,408 | 26.4% |
| 90-120k | 2,687 | 31.0% |
| 120-150k | 1,111 | 31.9% |
| 150k+ | 382 | 33.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,858 | 29.4% |
| 2022 | 1,707 | 28.7% |
| 2023 | 1,552 | 27.6% |
| 2024 | 1,466 | 27.4% |
| 2025 | 1,363 | 28.0% |
What to check before buying a Alfa Romeo Gtv
- Brakes (16.8% 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 (9.3% 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 (9.3% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Alfa Romeo Gtv?
71.7% of the 7,946 Alfa Romeo Gtv MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 28.3% fail rate, across model years 1981–2021.
What does the Alfa Romeo Gtv most often fail its MOT on?
Brakes, recorded in 16.8% of tests, then suspension (9.3%).
How much does mileage affect Gtv MOT results?
Fail rates run at 19.0% for cars in the 0-30k band and 33.8% for 150k+, a 14.8-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,946 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.