Model reliability

Alfa Romeo 159 reliability

The Alfa Romeo 159 fails its MOT about as often as most cars over 10 years old: 42.8% of 4,284 tests failed in 2023, against 39.7% on average.

Over 10 years old

42.8% failed their MOT

About average

From 4,284 MOT tests of Alfa Romeo 159s this age.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 2× as oftenBrake performance13.2% vs 5.8%

Fails 2× as oftenSprings8.6% vs 4.1%Fix about £150

Fails 53% more oftenExhaust emissions7.8% vs 5.1%Fix about £150

Fails 37% more oftenTyre condition5.6% vs 4.1%Fix about £90

Advised 45% more oftenTyre tread depth27.9% vs 19.3%Fix about £90

Advised 54% more oftenFluid leaks15.6% vs 10.1%

Advised 2× as oftenSub-frames9.6% vs 4.2%

Advised 2× as oftenBrake performance9.3% vs 4.6%

Safety recalls

4 DVSA recalls for the Alfa Romeo 159

Most cover a batch of cars built in a set period, and dealers fix them free. Sweep’s check shows the recalls for a car’s age and whether the DVSA has one outstanding.

R/2009/02813 Apr 2009Built 2006–2007Reduction of braking assistance may occur

Brake pedal could be stiff to depress requiring more input from the driver to stop as a result of insufficient brake assistance caused by low vacuum at low engine speed while at high altitude immediately after starting.

Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to fit an electric vacuum pump to supplement the engine vacuum system.

Recalled models: 159 · 100 vehicles

R/2007/1747 Dec 2007Built 2007Brakes may fail

Due to the possibility of a fault in the production process the flexible rubber brake hoses may not have been correctly vulcanised. As a consequence may partially or totally restrict the internal flow of the brake hydraulic fluid. Should this happen a reduction in efficiency during braking would occur.

Fix: Recalled vehicles will have the hoses checked to identify if they are within the affected batch. If this is the case they will be replaced with quality assured items.

Recalled models: 159 · 687 vehicles

R/2007/09227 Jul 2007Built 2005–2007Possible loss of vehicle control

Oil may leak from the Power Take Off Unit which may cause the unit to seize and possible loss of vehicle control.

Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to apply sealant to the core plug and to fit a retaining clip.

Recalled models: 159 · 610 vehicles

R/2007/02612 Mar 2007Built 2005–2006Roof bars may fail

It has been identified that certain after market roof cross rails (not supplied by Alfa Romeo) could set up resonance frequencies within the rail that could in time lead to breakage of the longitudinal roof rails.

Fix: Recalled vehicles will be fitted with a new set of longitudinal roof rails.

Recalled models: 159 · 81 vehicles

DVSA vehicle safety recalls (Crown copyright, Open Government Licence).

Checking a Alfa Romeo 159 before you buy

Look at the parts above at the viewing, and read the car’s own MOT history: advisories for the same parts suggest the problem is already starting. Sweep’s free check shows every MOT, advisory and mileage reading for a registration.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2023 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Failure rates compare this model with all cars in the same age band. Fix prices are typical independent-garage estimates.

Alfa Romeo 159 reliability

4 DVSA recalls for the Alfa Romeo 159

Checking a Alfa Romeo 159 before you buy

Run this check on every listing, automatically.