Used car guide

2008 Alfa Romeo Spider: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Alfa Romeo Spider first registered in 2008: we looked at the 541 MOTs these cars had during 2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

541MOTs of 2008 cars, done in 2025
73%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
4,100typical miles a year
28%had suspension flagged

Common 2008 Alfa Romeo Spider MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Alfa Romeo Spider MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    28% 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.

  • Tyres
    28% 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.

  • Brakes
    23% 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
    12% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    8% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 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?

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

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2018–Too few tests
2017–Too few tests
2016–Too few tests
2015–Too few tests
2011–Too few tests
2010–Too few tests
2009126Tyres 21%
2007465Suspension 30%
2006–Too few tests
2005–Too few tests
2004–Too few tests
2003–Too few tests
2002108Brakes 31%
2001225Suspension 32%
2000152Brakes 49%
1999227Suspension 37%
1998176Brakes 41%
1997164Brakes 38%
1996–Too few tests
1992–Too few tests
1991111Lights and electrics 29%
1990–Too few tests
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 2025, counting the MOTs of Alfa Romeo Spider cars first registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score