Alfa Romeo 166 (2003)
2003 Alfa Romeo 166
CarHunch analysed 160 real MOT records for the 2003 Alfa Romeo 166. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2003 Alfa Romeo 166 falls well short of the UK average with a 69.5% first-time pass rate, and that's the real concern—nearly 40% of these cars have recorded dangerous defects at some point, putting buyers and owners at genuine risk. This is a reliability problem, not a minor one, suggesting systemic issues beyond normal wear and tear.
These 166s are averaging 73,000 miles at test, which is reasonable for their age, but they're racking up an average of 4.3 failures and 18 advisories per MOT—well above what you'd expect from a well-maintained car. Before committing to one, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on braking system condition, suspension geometry, and electrical gremlins, because this model clearly struggles to keep them sorted.
What to check before buying a 2003 Alfa Romeo 166
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 39.4% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Alfa Romeo 166
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.
Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (98%) | 157 | 69.5% | 4.41 |
| Diesel (2%) | 3 | 66.7% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Alfa Romeo 166 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2003 Alfa Romeo 166 vehicles fall between 51,448 and 91,705 miles.
2003 Alfa Romeo 166 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 13 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (16% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2003 Alfa Romeo 166
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
86.8%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
-
59.8%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
59.7%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
49.4%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
44%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
37.2%
Offside Front position lamp(s) not working
-
37.2%
Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working
-
29.6%
Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Alfa Romeo 166?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.