2003 Alfa Romeo Spider — MOT failures & pass rate
608 MOT tests on the 2003 Alfa Romeo Spider are in this dataset, and 72.5% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail at 27.6%, so the 2003 Spider sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in brakes, body, structure & corrosion and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Brakes dominates the failure mix at 15.8% of all tests — 7.6 points clear of body, structure & corrosion, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), joints and wipers — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 67 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 16.5% in the 30-60k band and 28.7% in the 90-120k band, a 12.2-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 30.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 23.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 15.8% | 96 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.2% | 50 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 8.1% | 49 |
| 4 | Suspension | 7.7% | 47 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.9% | 30 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.6% | 28 |
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) | 67 |
| 2 | Joints | 31 |
| 3 | Wipers | 30 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 26 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 23 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 20 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 30.6% | 186 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.4% | 179 |
| 3 | Tyres | 18.8% | 114 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.8% | 78 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 12.3% | 75 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 8.6% | 52 |
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 | 97 | 16.5% |
| 60-90k | 301 | 29.9% |
| 90-120k | 150 | 28.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 135 | 23.7% |
| 2022 | 132 | 28.0% |
| 2023 | 119 | 28.6% |
| 2024 | 118 | 30.5% |
| 2025 | 104 | 26.9% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Spider
On a 2003 Spider, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (15.8% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (8.2% 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+.
- Lighting & signalling (8.1% 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
How many 2003 Alfa Romeo Spiders pass their MOT?
72.5% of the 608 2003 Alfa Romeo Spider MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Alfa Romeo Spider?
Brakes, recorded in 15.8% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (8.2%).
Does the 2003 Spider get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.5% in the 30-60k band to 28.7% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 608 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.