Used car guide · 1983–2021

Alfa Romeo Giulietta common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Alfa Romeo Giulietta, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 76,365 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 1983 Alfa Romeo Giulietta

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 Giulietta as a whole.

11on 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 1983 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).

2021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120101983

What usually goes wrong with an Alfa Romeo Giulietta?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Alfa Romeo Giulietta 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 Giulietta MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 2.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

    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 springs

    up to 2.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    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.

  • Washers

    up to 3.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

  • Side repeaters

    up to 6.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2017.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

  • Engine warning light

    up to 1.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2016.

    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.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings

    up to 5.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulietta did best (80% passed first time, 0 points above all 2017 cars) and the 2011 did worst (58%, 4 points below all 2011 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202184%87% -3161 (small sample)
202085%87% -21,527
201984%85% -11,545
201882%83% -12,482
201780%80% +04,545
201675%77% -28,352
201572%74% -28,950
201469%70% -19,284
201366%67% -19,117
201262%64% -210,027
201158%62% -415,260
201058%60% -25,115

Questions to ask the seller before buying an Alfa Romeo Giulietta

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

  1. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the washers? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta 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 Giulietta?

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