Used car guide

2016 Alfa Romeo Giulietta: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 Alfa Romeo Giuliettas, from 2,788 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,788MOT tests in 2025
74%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)
7,500typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2016 Alfa Romeo Giuliettas than on all cars registered in 2016.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.4× usual
    Alfa Romeo Giulietta
    14.6% All 2016 cars
    6.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 1.1% of all 2016 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.

  • Coil springs3× usual
    Alfa Romeo Giulietta
    12.1% All 2016 cars
    4.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 2.5% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At 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.

  • Engine warning light2× usual
    Alfa Romeo Giulietta
    3% All 2016 cars
    1.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.5% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

By area

The share of 2016 Alfa Romeo Giulietta MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    34% 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.

  • Suspension
    26% 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
    23% 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
    13% 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
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    4% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2020522Tyres 34%
2019513Tyres 33%
2018846Tyres 30%
20171,531Tyres 32%
20152,979Tyres 32%
20143,071Tyres 35%
20132,967Suspension 38%
20123,149Suspension 46%
20114,611Suspension 49%
20101,518Suspension 49%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2016 Alfa Romeo Giuliettas registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score