Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1998 Alfa Romeo 145?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1998 Alfa Romeo 145?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1998 Alfa Romeo 145?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 1998 Alfa Romeo 145 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

28% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 1998 Alfa Romeo 145 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 754 vehicles, the 1998 Alfa Romeo 145 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 61.5%, indicating average reliability for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 1998 Alfa Romeo 145?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1998 Alfa Romeo 145 are: Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (67.5% of vehicles), Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (52.8% of vehicles), Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (44.1% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1998 Alfa Romeo 145?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Alfa Romeo 145 (1998)

754 real MOT outcomes analysed • 61.5% first-time pass rate

1998 Alfa Romeo 145

CarHunch analysed 754 real MOT records for the 1998 Alfa Romeo 145. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 1998 Alfa Romeo 145 is a substantially unreliable proposition by modern standards: only 61.5% pass their MOT first time, compared to the UK average of 80%, and a concerning 27.5% of these cars have recorded dangerous defects at some point. This combination suggests serious structural or safety issues are endemic to the model at this age, making it a risky purchase unless you have specialist knowledge or deep pockets for repairs.

At just under 89,000 miles average, these cars aren't running particularly high mileage for their age, yet they're still averaging nearly 3 failures and almost 10 advisories per test, indicating widespread wear across multiple systems rather than isolated problem areas. If you're seriously considering one, budget for immediate professional inspection by an Alfa specialist and expect ongoing maintenance costs well above what you'd face with a Japanese equivalent from the same era.

The 1998 Alfa Romeo 145 has a below-average first-time pass rate (61.5% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

61.5%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

27.5%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.95

Over 7.5 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

86k

Middle half: 70k–102k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 9.7 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 754 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 754 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Brake wear 67.5%

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements · Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Exhaust & emissions 52.8%

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive · Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits · Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive · …

Lighting 43.7%

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated · Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated · Offside Headlamp aim too low · …

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Tyre wear 40.1%

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 754 Alfa Romeo 145 cars.

Before you buy a 1998 Alfa Romeo 145

Based on MOT data from 754 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 27.5% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (100%)	751	61.5%	2.95

Colour Breakdown

Based on 4,022 Alfa Romeo 145 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Red 47.1%

1,895

Blue 15.9%

638

Black 11.2%

451

Grey 8.8%

352

Green 8.2%

330

Silver 4.2%

168

Yellow 2.8%

113

Purple 1.1%

Gold 0.5%

White 0.1%

Maroon 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1998 Alfa Romeo 145 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

85,799

typical

69,600

low mileage

101,791

high mileage

Half of all 1998 Alfa Romeo 145 vehicles fall between 69,600 and 101,791 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 69,600 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 69,600–101,791 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1998 Alfa Romeo 145s sit.

⚠ Over 137,417 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1998 Alfa Romeo 145 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 19% of 1998 Alfa Romeo 145s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 15 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (19% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

7.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.95

Avg failures per vehicle

9.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Alfa Romeo 145: All 145 years → Which year to buy? →

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Buyer beware — pass it on