Used car guide · 1964–2018

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 8,838 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2018 Alfa Romeo Spider

Too few Alfa Romeo Spider cars first registered in 2018 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. 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.

10on the UK register at the end of 2025
Petrolfuel type
What to check on a 2018 car
  • MOT history

    Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.

  • Service history

    Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.

  • Finance and write-offs

    MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.

  • Test drive

    Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

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. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Suspension arm

    up to 3.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2007.

    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.

  • Braking performance

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1997, 1998 and 1999.

    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.

  • Coil springs

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1998 and 1999.

    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.

  • Brake discs

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1997 and 1998.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

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.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
201079%60% +19294 (small sample)
200979%59% +20374 (small sample)
200872%57% +151,633
200771%57% +141,494
200576%57% +19170 (small sample)
200479%57% +22175 (small sample)
200358%57% +1268 (small sample)
200271%58% +13332 (small sample)
200171%60% +11737
200059%61% -2487 (small sample)
199964%63% +1716
199863%65% -2552
199766%65% +1528
199661%66% -5308 (small sample)
199266%69% -3181 (small sample)
199173%71% +2335 (small sample)
199074%72% +2254 (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.

  1. 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.)
  2. 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.)
  3. 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.)
  4. 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