Used car guide

1990 Alfa Romeo Spider: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Alfa Romeo Spider first registered in 1990: we looked at the 253 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 253 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

253MOTs of 1990 cars, done in 2023–2025
75%pass first time (all 1990 cars: 72%)
2,000typical miles a year
27%had lights and electrics flagged

Common 1990 Alfa Romeo Spider MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1990 Alfa Romeo Spider MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    27% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    21% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    19% 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.

  • Brakes
    17% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    9% 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
    7% 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 1990 Alfa Romeo Spider

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

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at an Alfa Romeo Spider?

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Other years

Every year of the Alfa Romeo Spider compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2018–Too few tests
2017–Too few tests
2016–Too few tests
2015–Too few tests
2011–Too few tests
2010290Tyres 21%
2009374Tyres 23%
20081,633Tyres 27%
20071,494Suspension 30%
2006–Too few tests
2005170Suspension 29%
2004172Suspension 28%
2003268Brakes 40%
2002332Brakes 31%
2001737Suspension 34%
2000487Brakes 43%
1999716Suspension 38%
1998552Brakes 40%
1997528Brakes 40%
1996308Brakes 46%
1992181Lights and electrics 32%
1991335Lights and electrics 29%
1978–Too few tests
1977–Too few tests
1976–Too few tests
1975–Too few tests
1974–Too few tests
1973–Too few tests
1972–Too few tests
1971–Too few tests
1970–Too few tests
1969–Too few tests
1968–Too few tests
1967–Too few tests
1966–Too few tests
1965–Too few tests
1964–Too few tests

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 Spider cars first registered in 1990. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score