Used car guide

2002 Alfa Romeo GTV: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Alfa Romeo GTV first registered in 2002: we looked at the 440 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 440 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

440MOTs of 2002 cars, done in 2023–2025
64%pass first time (all 2002 cars: 58%)
3,800typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for suspension arm

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2002 Alfa Romeo GTV?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2002 Alfa Romeo GTV than on all cars registered in 2002.

  • Suspension arm2.2× usual
    Alfa Romeo GTV
    7% All 2002 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.3% of all 2002 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.

Common 2002 Alfa Romeo GTV MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2002 Alfa Romeo GTV MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • Suspension
    33% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    20% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    18% 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.

  • 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 engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    11% 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 2002 Alfa Romeo GTV

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

  1. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2002 Alfa Romeo GTV 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 GTV?

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 GTV compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2005–Too few tests
2004171Brakes 36%
2003228Brakes 43%
2001523Brakes 40%
2000500Brakes 47%
1999694Brakes 41%
1998435Brakes 39%
1997176Brakes 40%
1996–Too few tests
1986–Too few tests
1985–Too few tests
1984–Too few tests
1983–Too few tests

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 GTV cars first registered in 2002. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score