Alfa Romeo Spider common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used Alfa Romeo Spider, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 8,830 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
The 1975 Alfa Romeo Spider
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 Spider as a whole.
What to check on a 1975 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).
20182017201620152011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996199219911990197819771976197519741973197219711970196919681967196619651964
What usually goes wrong with an Alfa Romeo Spider?
We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Alfa Romeo Spider 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 Spider 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
Suspension arm
up to 2× usualStands out on cars registered in 2007.
Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
Alfa Romeo Spider MOT pass rate by year
Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2008 Alfa Romeo Spider did best (72% passed first time, 15 points above all 2008 cars) and the 2007 did worst (71%, 14 points above all 2007 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
| Year | Pass first time | All cars that year | MOT tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 79% | 60% +19 | 290 (small sample) |
| 2009 | 79% | 59% +20 | 374 (small sample) |
| 2008 | 72% | 57% +15 | 1,633 |
| 2007 | 71% | 57% +14 | 1,494 |
| 2005 | 76% | 57% +19 | 170 (small sample) |
| 2004 | 79% | 57% +22 | 172 (small sample) |
| 2003 | 58% | 57% +1 | 268 (small sample) |
| 2002 | 71% | 58% +13 | 332 (small sample) |
| 2001 | 71% | 60% +11 | 737 |
| 2000 | 59% | 61% -2 | 487 (small sample) |
| 1999 | 64% | 63% +1 | 716 |
| 1998 | 63% | 65% -2 | 552 |
| 1997 | 66% | 65% +1 | 528 |
| 1996 | 61% | 66% -5 | 308 (small sample) |
| 1992 | 66% | 69% -3 | 181 (small sample) |
| 1991 | 73% | 71% +2 | 335 (small sample) |
| 1990 | 75% | 72% +3 | 253 (small sample) |
Questions to ask the seller before buying an 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 suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the Alfa Romeo Spider as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the Alfa Romeo Spider as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 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, 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