2004 Alfa Romeo Gtv — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2004 Alfa Romeo Gtv passed 73.3% of its 401 recorded MOT tests. That is 1.0 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.7%. Failures cluster in brakes, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: brakes, recorded in 13.7% of tests against 8.0% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), catalyst emissions and joints — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 39 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2004 Gtv fails 24.7% of the time in the 30-60k band and 26.5% at 120-150k, a spread of only 1.8 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 32.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 13.7% | 55 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.0% | 32 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.0% | 28 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 6.2% | 25 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.7% | 19 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.7% | 15 |
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) | 39 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 28 |
| 3 | Joints | 25 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 16 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 12 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 11 |
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 | 32.9% | 132 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.9% | 124 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.2% | 81 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.2% | 49 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 9.0% | 36 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.5% | 22 |
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 | 73 | 24.7% |
| 60-90k | 160 | 26.9% |
| 90-120k | 112 | 29.5% |
| 120-150k | 34 | 26.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 106 | 29.3% |
| 2022 | 77 | 24.7% |
| 2023 | 73 | 24.7% |
| 2024 | 78 | 24.4% |
| 2025 | 67 | 29.8% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Gtv
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 13.7% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (13.7% 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 (8.0% 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 (7.0% 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 Gtvs pass their MOT?
73.3% of the 401 2004 Alfa Romeo Gtv MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Alfa Romeo Gtv?
Brakes, recorded in 13.7% of tests, followed by suspension (8.0%).
Does the 2004 Gtv get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.7% in the 30-60k band to 26.5% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 401 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.