Used car guide

2000 Alfa Romeo 156: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Alfa Romeo 156 first registered in 2000: we looked at the 305 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 305 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

305MOTs of 2000 cars, done in 2023–2025
57%pass first time (all 2000 cars: 61%)
3,800typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for exhaust emissions (catalyst)

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2000 Alfa Romeo 156?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2000 Alfa Romeo 156 than on all cars registered in 2000.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.2× usual
    Alfa Romeo 156
    9.8% All 2000 cars
    4.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.8%, against 4.5% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 7.5% here, against 17.1% of all 2000 cars.

Common 2000 Alfa Romeo 156 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2000 Alfa Romeo 156 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    39% 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
    30% 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
    29% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    22% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    20% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    16% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2000 Alfa Romeo 156

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2000 Alfa Romeo 156 as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at an Alfa Romeo 156?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Alfa Romeo 156 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2007–Too few tests
2006–Too few tests
2005494Suspension 48%
2004600Suspension 40%
2003704Suspension 37%
2002545Suspension 35%
2001426Suspension 41%
1999202Suspension 40%
1998148Suspension 41%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Alfa Romeo 156 cars first registered in 2000. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score