Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2012 Alfa Romeo 159?

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 2012 Alfa Romeo 159?

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 2012 Alfa Romeo 159?

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 2012 Alfa Romeo 159 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

50% 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 2012 Alfa Romeo 159 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 110 vehicles, the 2012 Alfa Romeo 159 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 76.2%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2012 Alfa Romeo 159?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2012 Alfa Romeo 159 are: Oil leak, but not excessive (98% of vehicles), Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (54.5% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (50.9% 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 2012 Alfa Romeo 159?

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 159 (2012)

110 real MOT outcomes analysed • 76.2% first-time pass rate

2012 Alfa Romeo 159

CarHunch analysed 110 real MOT records for the 2012 Alfa Romeo 159. 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 Compare Models

The 2012 Alfa Romeo 159 falls slightly below the UK average with a 76.2% first-time pass rate, but the real concern here is that half of these cars have recorded dangerous defects at some point — well above typical levels and a genuine red flag for any potential buyer. This combination suggests electrical, brake, or structural issues are lurking more frequently than you'd want to see.

These 159s are averaging nearly 94,000 miles at median age, which is reasonable, but they're racking up 3.3 failures and 18 advisories per test on average, indicating they demand close attention and regular spending once they're in your hands. Before buying, get a full pre-purchase inspection that specifically checks the brake system, suspension, and wiring — don't rely on MOT history alone given how many of these cars have already flagged serious faults.

We have limited data for the 2012 Alfa Romeo 159 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ 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

76.2%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

50%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.31

Over 13.3 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

94k

Middle half: 61k–113k

For context

These stats describe 110 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.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 110 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 98%

Oil leak, but not excessive · Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened · …

Brake wear 54.5%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Parking brake efficiency below requirements · Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

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

Tyre wear 50.9%

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

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

Suspension & steering 17.5%

Nearside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2012.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 110 Alfa Romeo 159 cars.

Before you buy a 2012 Alfa Romeo 159

Based on MOT data from 110 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 50% 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
Diesel (56%)	62	74.1%	3.66

Mileage Distribution

Most 2012 Alfa Romeo 159 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.

93,859

typical

60,872

low mileage

112,653

high mileage

Half of all 2012 Alfa Romeo 159 vehicles fall between 60,872 and 112,653 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 60,872 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.

✓ 60,872–112,653 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2012 Alfa Romeo 159s sit.

⚠ Over 152,081 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2012 Alfa Romeo 159 — Still on the Road

Most 2012 Alfa Romeo 159s are still being driven.

77 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 71% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2015–2025.
* 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

13.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.31

Avg failures per vehicle

18.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Alfa Romeo 159: All 159 years → Which year to buy? →

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Or browse all models: Alfa Romeo →

Compare with another model

See how the 2012 Alfa Romeo 159 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing