Used car guide

2009 Alfa Romeo Mito: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Alfa Romeo Mitos, from 2,900 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,900MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
6,000typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for coil springs

What stands out

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

  • Coil springs2× usual
    Alfa Romeo Mito
    25% All 2009 cars
    12.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.5%, against 4.1% of all 2009 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.

  • Exhaust system1.8× usual
    Alfa Romeo Mito
    15.3% All 2009 cars
    8.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 2.2% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Headlights1.7× usual
    Alfa Romeo Mito
    14.4% All 2009 cars
    8.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.2%, against 3.9% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Transmission oil leaks3.2× usual
    Alfa Romeo Mito
    4.2% All 2009 cars
    1.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2009 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.

Better than most

Sidelights: 1.1% here, against 7.2% of all 2009 cars. Ball joint: 2.1% here, against 6.6% of all 2009 cars.

By area

The share of 2009 Alfa Romeo Mito 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.

  • Brakes
    42% 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
    37% 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
    33% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    17% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    13% 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.

Looking at a Alfa Romeo Mito?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2017729Suspension 31%
20161,447Suspension 33%
20151,516Suspension 43%
20141,600Suspension 47%
20131,528Suspension 46%
20122,003Suspension 44%
20112,421Suspension 47%
20102,677Suspension 47%

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