Used car guide

2009 Alfa Romeo 159: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Alfa Romeo 159s, from 607 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

607MOT tests in 2025
59%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
7,600typical miles a year
1.9×the usual rate for sub-frame

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Alfa Romeo 159s than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Sub-frame1.9× usual
    Alfa Romeo 159
    14.5% All 2009 cars
    7.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.4% of all 2009 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.

  • Side repeaters3.3× usual
    Alfa Romeo 159
    4.9% All 2009 cars
    1.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 0.9% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.2× usual
    Alfa Romeo 159
    6.8% All 2009 cars
    3.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 1.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

By area

The share of 2009 Alfa Romeo 159 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    43% 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
    40% 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
    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.

  • 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
    19% 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
    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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2010581Suspension 44%
2008524Suspension 51%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Alfa Romeo 159s registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score