2010 Alfa Romeo Mito — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 22,395 MOT tests, the 2010 Alfa Romeo Mito recorded a 73.4% pass rate. Superminis of a similar age fail 24.9% of the time, so this is 1.7pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (12.4%) and lighting & signalling (10.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, rbt (sp) and headlamp — coil spring alone was recorded 1,438 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 29.2% versus 13.9%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.4pp more often than petrol ones (29.6% vs 26.2%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 31.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 12.4% | 2,781 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 10.8% | 2,422 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.8% | 2,408 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.8% | 1,305 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.9% | 1,090 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.8% | 1,081 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 1,438 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 1,076 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 1,043 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 890 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 696 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 683 |
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 | 31.4% | 7,022 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.0% | 6,488 |
| 3 | Brakes | 28.5% | 6,393 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 12.2% | 2,728 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.7% | 2,613 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 11.6% | 2,588 |
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 | 353 | 13.9% |
| 30-60k | 3,491 | 20.8% |
| 60-90k | 9,361 | 27.0% |
| 90-120k | 6,781 | 28.4% |
| 120-150k | 2,032 | 30.5% |
| 150k+ | 367 | 29.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 19,574 | 26.2% |
| Diesel | 2,821 | 29.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,314 | 26.4% |
| 2022 | 4,956 | 26.0% |
| 2023 | 4,622 | 26.7% |
| 2024 | 4,062 | 27.2% |
| 2025 | 3,441 | 27.1% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Mito
On a 2010 Mito, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (12.4% 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 (10.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.8% 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.
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 2010 Alfa Romeo Mitos pass their MOT?
73.4% of the 22,395 2010 Alfa Romeo Mito MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Alfa Romeo Mito?
Suspension, recorded in 12.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (10.8%).
Does the 2010 Mito get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.9% in the 0-30k band to 29.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 22,395 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.