Alfa Romeo 33 (1991)
1991 Alfa Romeo 33
CarHunch analysed 146 real MOT records for the 1991 Alfa Romeo 33. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1991 Alfa Romeo 33 is a genuinely unreliable proposition by modern standards, with only 54.5% passing their MOT first time against the UK average of 80%—nearly one in two cars fails. Dangerous defects have shown up in 17.8% of this cohort, which isn't alarming enough to be a major red flag, but it's high enough that a pre-purchase inspection is non-negotiable.
These cars are now 33 years old and running at reasonable mileage (median 79,568 miles), yet they're accumulating nearly two failures per test and nearly five advisories, suggesting systemic wear rather than isolated problems. If you're seriously considering one, budget for regular repair work and factor in that the average failure rate means you're rolling the dice every 12 months—get a trusted mechanic's verdict before handing over any money.
What to check before buying a 1991 Alfa Romeo 33
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.
- 📄 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 33
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Mileage Distribution
Most 1991 Alfa Romeo 33 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 1991 Alfa Romeo 33 vehicles fall between 49,873 and 109,384 miles.
1991 Alfa Romeo 33 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 11 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2018, 85% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2018.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1991 Alfa Romeo 33
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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29.1%
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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24.8%
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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23.3%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
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18.2%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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17.8%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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17.4%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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15.9%
Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play
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15.5%
Horn not working
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1991. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Alfa Romeo 33?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.