Alfa Romeo 164
From 242 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements and emissions levels exceed default limits. The top issue, significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, caused 14 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 14 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 10 |
| emissions levels exceed default limits | 8 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 7 |
| parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value | 7 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 6 |
| lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer | 6 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 6 |
| steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 6 |
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 5 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 16% of 164 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 28% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £114.
Typical mileage
Half of all 164s tested had between 99,211 and 139,098 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 120,466 median miles, the 164 has 0.021 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Alfa Romeo models
| Alfa Romeo Giulietta | 75.7% |
| Alfa Romeo Mito | 72.1% |
| Alfa Romeo Giulia | 90% |
| Alfa Romeo 159 | 68.1% |
| Alfa Romeo Spider | 75.9% |
Common questions
What is the Alfa Romeo 164 MOT pass rate?
The Alfa Romeo 164 has a 74.4% MOT pass rate based on 242 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Alfa Romeo 164?
The most common MOT failure on the Alfa Romeo 164 is significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, which caused 14 failures. Other common issues include tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements.
What is the typical mileage of a Alfa Romeo 164 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Alfa Romeo 164 is 120,466 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 99,211 and 139,098 miles.
Buying a used 164?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 74.4% pass rate and an average repair bill of £114 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.