Used car guide

2007 Alfa Romeo 159: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2007 Alfa Romeo 159s, from 482 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 482 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

482MOT tests in 2025
53%pass first time (all 2007 cars: 57%)
6,300typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for sub-frame

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2007 Alfa Romeo 159s than on all cars registered in 2007.

  • Sub-frame2.1× usual
    Alfa Romeo 159
    15.8% All 2007 cars
    7.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 0.4% of all 2007 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.

By area

The share of 2007 Alfa Romeo 159 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    48% 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
    34% 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
    32% 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
    26% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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
    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 engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at an Alfa Romeo 159?

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

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2011405Suspension 36%
2010581Suspension 44%
2009607Suspension 43%
2008524Suspension 51%
2006163Suspension 50%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2007 Alfa Romeo 159s registered in 2007. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score