Used car guide

2008 Alfa Romeo Brera diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Alfa Romeo Brera first registered in 2008 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 478 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 478 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

478MOTs of 2008 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
64%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
6,800typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for braking performance

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Alfa Romeo Brera diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Alfa Romeo Brera diesel than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Braking performance2.1× usual
    Alfa Romeo Brera
    13.6% All 2008 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 2.7% of all 2008 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.

Common 2008 Alfa Romeo Brera diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Alfa Romeo Brera diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    44% 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.

  • Brakes
    36% 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.

  • Tyres
    34% 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
    24% 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
    18% 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 engine or DPF warning lights.

  • 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Alfa Romeo Brera diesel

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 2.1× as often on the 2008 Alfa Romeo Brera diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at an Alfa Romeo Brera?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Alfa Romeo Brera compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2011–Too few tests
2010282Tyres 29%
20091,274Suspension 28%
20071,149Suspension 46%
20061,119Suspension 43%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Alfa Romeo Brera cars first registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score