What are the most common problems with a 1999 Alfa Romeo Spider?

The biggest MOT weak spot is coil springs: flagged on 18.2% of tests, 2.3× the rate for all 1999 cars, followed by braking performance (13.5%).

What should I ask the seller before buying a used 1999 Alfa Romeo Spider?

Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 1999 Alfa Romeo Spider as on other cars the same age.) Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 1999 Alfa Romeo Spider as on other cars the same age.) Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 1999 Alfa Romeo Spider as on other cars the same age.) Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Used car guide

1999 Alfa Romeo Spider: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Alfa Romeo Spider first registered in 1999: we looked at the 716 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

716MOTs of 1999 cars, done in 2023–2025

64%pass first time (all 1999 cars: 63%)

3,600typical miles a year

2.3×the usual rate for coil springs

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1999 Alfa Romeo Spider?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1999 Alfa Romeo Spider than on all cars registered in 1999.

Coil springs2.3× usual

Alfa Romeo Spider
18.2% All 1999 cars
7.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 1.3% of all 1999 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.
Braking performance1.8× usual

Alfa Romeo Spider
13.5% All 1999 cars
7.3%

Failed outright at MOT: 9.4%, against 3.5% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.
Suspension arm2.6× usual

Alfa Romeo Spider
7% All 1999 cars
2.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.2% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

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.
Airbag warning light3.8× usual

Alfa Romeo Spider
5% All 1999 cars
1.3%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 1.1% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

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.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 7.4% here, against 16% of all 1999 cars.

Common 1999 Alfa Romeo Spider MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1999 Alfa Romeo Spider MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

38% 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

38% 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

22% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

22% 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.
Tyres

20% 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

19% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1999 Alfa Romeo Spider

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

Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 1999 Alfa Romeo Spider as on other cars the same age.)
Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 1999 Alfa Romeo Spider as on other cars the same age.)
Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 1999 Alfa Romeo Spider as on other cars the same age.)
Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at an Alfa Romeo Spider?

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 Spider compared

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2018	–	Too few tests
2017	–	Too few tests
2016	–	Too few tests
2015	–	Too few tests
2011	–	Too few tests
2010	290	Tyres 21%
2009	374	Tyres 23%
2008	1,633	Tyres 27%
2007	1,494	Suspension 30%
2006	–	Too few tests
2005	170	Suspension 29%
2004	172	Suspension 28%
2003	268	Brakes 40%
2002	332	Brakes 31%
2001	737	Suspension 34%
2000	487	Brakes 43%
1998	552	Brakes 40%
1997	528	Brakes 40%
1996	308	Brakes 46%
1992	181	Lights and electrics 32%
1991	335	Lights and electrics 29%
1990	253	Lights and electrics 27%
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 1999. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score