2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 256 MOT tests, the 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio recorded a 95.3% pass rate. That is 3.4 percentage points better than mid-size SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 8.1%. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (2.3%) and brakes (1.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are registration plates, brake pads and tyre pressure monitoring system — registration plates alone was recorded 6 times.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 13.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 2.3% | 6 |
| 2 | Brakes | 1.6% | 4 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 1.6% | 4 |
| 4 | Other defects | 1.2% | 3 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.8% | 2 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.8% | 2 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Registration plates | 6 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 4 |
| 3 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 3 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 2 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 2 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 2 |
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 | 13.7% | 35 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.9% | 28 |
| 3 | Other defects | 3.1% | 8 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.3% | 6 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.3% | 6 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.8% | 2 |
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 | 180 | 5.6% |
| 30-60k | 73 | 2.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 121 | 2.5% |
| 2025 | 128 | 7.0% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Stelvio
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 2.3% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (2.3% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Brakes (1.6% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (1.6% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvios pass their MOT?
95.3% of the 256 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 4.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio?
Tyres, recorded in 2.3% of tests, followed by brakes (1.6%).
Does the 2021 Stelvio get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.6% in the 0-30k band to 2.7% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 256 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.