Alfa Romeo Mito common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used Alfa Romeo Mito, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 56,755 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
The 2019 Alfa Romeo Mito
Too few Alfa Romeo Mito cars first registered in 2019 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Alfa Romeo Mito as a whole.
What to check on a 2019 car
- MOT history
Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.
- Service history
Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.
- Finance and write-offs
MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.
- Test drive
Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.
Other years
Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).
What usually goes wrong with an Alfa Romeo Mito?
We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Alfa Romeo Mito in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.
Common Alfa Romeo Mito MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.
Petrol
Coil springs
up to 11.2× usualStands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.
Exhaust system
up to 4.9× usualStands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.
Engine oil leaks
up to 2.7× usualStands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Rough price £80–£600 our estimateAt the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.
Track rod ends
up to 5.9× usualStands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Exhaust emissions (catalyst)
up to 8× usualStands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.
Transmission oil leaks
up to 5.9× usualStands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Rough price £80–£600 our estimateAt the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.
Diesel
Coil springs
up to 5.2× usualStands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.
Wheel bearings
up to 7.4× usualStands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2015.
Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.
Sub-frame
up to 6.6× usualStands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimateAt the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.
Engine oil leaks
up to 2.8× usualStands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Rough price £80–£600 our estimateAt the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.
Brake discs
up to 1.9× usualStands out on cars registered in 2012, 2014 and 2015.
Rough price £150–£350 our estimateAt the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.
Track rod ends
up to 4.7× usualStands out on cars registered in 2014 and 2015.
Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Alfa Romeo Mito MOT pass rate by year
Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2012 Alfa Romeo Mito did best (63% passed first time, 1 point below all 2012 cars) and the 2018 did worst (73%, 10 points below all 2018 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
Questions to ask the seller before buying an Alfa Romeo Mito
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 10.4× as often on the Alfa Romeo Mito as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 4.6× as often on the Alfa Romeo Mito as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the Alfa Romeo Mito as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at an Alfa Romeo Mito?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score