Used car guide · 1964–2026

Alfa Romeo Giulia common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Alfa Romeo Giulia, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 19,985 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 1964 Alfa Romeo Giulia

Our MOT figures start with cars first registered in 1990. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Alfa Romeo Giulia as a whole.

13on the UK register at the end of 2025
ProbablyMOT-exempt (40+ years old), unless substantially changed
Petrolmost common fuel (also diesel)
What to check on a 1964 car
  • Rust and structure

    Look underneath at the sills, floor, chassis rails and jacking points. Rust in the structure costs far more to fix than paint bubbles.

  • MOT-exempt isn’t roadworthy

    Cars over 40 don’t need an MOT, but they must still be safe. A voluntary MOT or a specialist inspection is worth the money.

  • Paperwork

    Old MOT certificates, bills and restoration photos show how it has been looked after. Check the logbook matches the car’s VIN and engine number.

  • Originality

    Changes from standard affect value and insurance. Ask what has been replaced or modified.

  • Insurance

    Classic insurance is often cheaper but may limit mileage and use. Get a quote before you buy.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

202620252024202320222021202020192018201720161972197119681967196619651964

What usually goes wrong with an Alfa Romeo Giulia?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Alfa Romeo Giulia in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common Alfa Romeo Giulia MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Headlight aim

    up to 2.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

    Rough price £20–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 11× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Diesel

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 5.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2017 and 2018.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Headlight aim

    up to 2.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2017 and 2018.

    Rough price £20–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

Alfa Romeo Giulia MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia did best (86% passed first time, 3 points above all 2018 cars) and the 2022 did worst (85%, 4 points below all 2022 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202285%89% -4851
202186%87% -11,333
202088%87% +12,403
201987%85% +24,383
201886%83% +34,676
201783%80% +35,877
201683%77% +6462 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying an Alfa Romeo Giulia

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

  1. Any recent work on the headlight aim? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the Alfa Romeo Giulia as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 11× as often on the Alfa Romeo Giulia as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the Alfa Romeo Giulia as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at an Alfa Romeo Giulia?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score