Alfa Romeo 166
From 363 MOT tests. Below average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, a suspension pin and bush or joint excessively worn. The top issue, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, caused 22 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.
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 22 |
| a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 21 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 18 |
| an srs malfunction indicator lamp (mil) indicates a system malfunction | 16 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 15 |
| a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 13 |
| a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated | 12 |
| a rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources | 11 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 11 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 10 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 22.8% of 166 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 39.6% 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 £130.
Alfa Romeo 166 on UK roads
The fleet is shrinking: 42 scrapped or exported in the past year, a net loss of 42. At this rate, roughly 12.7 years until none remain. Now at 19.1% of its peak (2,657 in 2005 Q4).
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 116 | 392 | +0 | -8 | -8 |
| 2025 Q2 | 129 | 387 | +0 | -2 | -2 |
| 2025 Q1 | 130 | 388 | +0 | -13 | -13 |
| 2024 Q4 | 135 | 396 | +0 | -19 | -19 |
| 2024 Q3 | 147 | 403 | +0 | -2 | -2 |
| 2024 Q2 | 149 | 403 | +0 | -6 | -6 |
| 2024 Q1 | 157 | 401 | +0 | -12 | -12 |
| 2023 Q4 | 158 | 412 | +0 | -0 | +2 |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
Typical mileage
Half of all 166s tested had between 73,786 and 125,012 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 106,578 median miles, the 166 has 0.03 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 166 MOT pass rate?
The Alfa Romeo 166 has a 67.5% MOT pass rate based on 363 real MOT tests. This is below the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Alfa Romeo 166?
The most common MOT failure on the Alfa Romeo 166 is a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, which caused 22 failures. Other common issues include a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
How many Alfa Romeo 166s are on UK roads?
There are 116 Alfa Romeo 166s currently licensed on UK roads, with 392 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Alfa Romeo 166 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Alfa Romeo 166 is 106,578 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 73,786 and 125,012 miles.
Buying a used 166?
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 67.5% pass rate and an average repair bill of £130 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.