2006 Alfa Romeo Brera petrol: common problems and MOT failures

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

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

• Sub-frame2.7× usual
  Alfa Romeo Brera

  15.4% All 2006 cars

  5.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, 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.

• Suspension arm3× usual
  Alfa Romeo Brera

  9.3% All 2006 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Engine warning light2.3× usual
  Alfa Romeo Brera

  6.3% All 2006 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.3%, against 2.7% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Common 2006 Alfa Romeo Brera petrol MOT failures and advisories

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

• Suspension
  41% 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
  29% 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.

• Brakes
  29% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  23% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  16% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  15% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2006 Alfa Romeo Brera 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 sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2006 Alfa Romeo Brera petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2006 Alfa Romeo Brera petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the engine warning light? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2006 Alfa Romeo Brera petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?