2006 Alfa Romeo 159 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2006 Alfa Romeo 159 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2006 Alfa Romeo 159 petrol than on all cars registered in 2006.

• Braking performance2.2× usual
  Alfa Romeo 159

  15.5% All 2006 cars

  6.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 2.9% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

• Sub-frame2.3× usual
  Alfa Romeo 159

  12.5% All 2006 cars

  5.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

Common 2006 Alfa Romeo 159 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2006 Alfa Romeo 159 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  43% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Tyres
  35% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Lights and electrics
  30% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Brakes
  30% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  16% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Exhaust and emissions
  15% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2006 Alfa Romeo 159 petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2006 Alfa Romeo 159 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2006 Alfa Romeo 159 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?