Used car guide

2011 Alfa Romeo 159: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Alfa Romeo 159s, from 405 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 405 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

405MOT tests in 2025
62%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
8,500typical miles a year
3×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Alfa Romeo 159s than on all cars registered in 2011.

  • Engine oil leaks3× usual
    Alfa Romeo 159
    26.7% All 2011 cars
    8.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

By area

The share of 2011 Alfa Romeo 159 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    36% 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
    35% 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
    31% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    27% 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.

  • 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    8% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2010581Suspension 44%
2009607Suspension 43%
2008524Suspension 51%
2007482Suspension 48%
2006163Suspension 50%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2011 Alfa Romeo 159s registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score