Used car guide

2006 Alfa Romeo Brera: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2006 Alfa Romeo Breras, from 324 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 324 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

324MOT tests in 2025
63%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 57%)
4,900typical miles a year
2.9×the usual rate for sub-frame

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2006 Alfa Romeo Breras than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Sub-frame2.9× usual
    Alfa Romeo Brera
    20.4% All 2006 cars
    7.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.3% of all 2006 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.

  • Suspension arm2.9× usual
    Alfa Romeo Brera
    11.1% All 2006 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 0.3% of all 2006 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.

By area

The share of 2006 Alfa Romeo Brera MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    46% 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
    31% 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
    28% 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
    25% 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
    18% 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
    13% 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 Brera?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2009403Suspension 27%
2008458Suspension 40%
2007342Suspension 46%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2006 Alfa Romeo Breras registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score