2012 Alfa Romeo Mito — MOT failures & pass rate
15,006 MOT tests on the 2012 Alfa Romeo Mito are in this dataset, and 75.6% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail 22.5% of the time, so this is 1.9pp 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 (11.3%) and lighting & signalling (9.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, headlamp and headlamp aim — coil spring alone was recorded 1,115 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 30.3% versus 15.7%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.2pp more often than petrol ones (26.0% vs 23.8%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 29.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 11.3% | 1,698 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 9.2% | 1,381 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.8% | 1,027 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.0% | 898 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.5% | 676 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.8% | 563 |
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 | 1,115 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 632 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 502 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 429 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 397 |
| 6 | Washers | 382 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 29.6% | 4,442 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.8% | 4,020 |
| 3 | Suspension | 24.6% | 3,693 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 13.2% | 1,978 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.1% | 1,520 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 8.9% | 1,333 |
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 | 363 | 15.7% |
| 30-60k | 3,979 | 21.3% |
| 60-90k | 6,790 | 25.4% |
| 90-120k | 3,081 | 26.6% |
| 120-150k | 661 | 25.7% |
| 150k+ | 132 | 30.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 11,467 | 23.8% |
| Diesel | 3,539 | 26.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,265 | 23.7% |
| 2022 | 3,187 | 23.8% |
| 2023 | 3,116 | 24.9% |
| 2024 | 2,857 | 24.8% |
| 2025 | 2,581 | 24.7% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Mito
On a 2012 Mito, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 11.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (11.3% 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 (9.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (6.8% 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 2012 Alfa Romeo Mitos pass their MOT?
75.6% of the 15,006 2012 Alfa Romeo Mito MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Alfa Romeo Mito?
Suspension, recorded in 11.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (9.2%).
Does the 2012 Mito get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.7% in the 0-30k band to 30.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 15,006 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.