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

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 Mito?

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 Mito?

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 Mito vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

52% 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 Mito reliable?

Based on MOT data from 2,800 vehicles, the 2012 Alfa Romeo Mito has a first-time MOT pass rate of 77%, 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 Mito?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2012 Alfa Romeo Mito are: Oil leak, but not excessive (57.1% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (52.2% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (50.7% 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 Mito?

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 Mito (2012)

2,800 real MOT outcomes analysed • 77% first-time pass rate

2012 Alfa Romeo Mito

CarHunch analysed 2,800 real MOT records for the 2012 Alfa Romeo Mito. 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 2012 Alfa Romeo Mito falls slightly below the UK average with a 77% pass rate, and more concerning, over half of these cars (51.9%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a significant reliability warning for any buyer. Petrol versions fare marginally better at 77.3% pass rate versus diesels at 76.1%, but neither fuel type offers reassurance here.

At 52,300 miles median mileage for a 12-year-old car, these Mitos are running relatively low, yet they're averaging 3.21 failures and 21.1 advisories per test—suggesting inherent mechanical weaknesses rather than wear-and-tear issues. Before committing to one, get a full pre-purchase inspection focused on suspension, electrical systems, and brake components, as the high dangerous defect rate points to specific problem areas beyond cosmetic wear.

The 2012 Alfa Romeo Mito has a decent first-time pass rate (77%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ 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

77%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

51.9%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.21

Over 13.1 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

52k

Middle half: 41k–64k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 21.1 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 2,800 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 2,800 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 57.1%

Oil leak, but not excessive · Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened

Tyre wear 52.2%

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

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

Brake wear 50.5%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · 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.

Suspension & steering 46.2%

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded · Offside Rear Coil spring corroded · Offside Front 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 2,800 Alfa Romeo Mito cars.

Before you buy a 2012 Alfa Romeo Mito

Based on MOT data from 2,800 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 51.9% 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 (73%)	2,047	77.3%	3.22
Diesel (27%)	753	76.1%	3.16

Colour Breakdown

Based on 25,304 Alfa Romeo Mito vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 34.3%

8,670

Red 31.5%

7,959

White 14.7%

3,713

Grey 7.6%

1,919

Blue 7.4%

1,873

Silver 1.7%

442

Turquoise 1%

244

Yellow 0.9%

219

Bronze 0.7%

167

Purple 0.2%

Gold 0.1%

Beige 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2012 Alfa Romeo Mito 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.

52,300

typical

41,276

low mileage

64,065

high mileage

Half of all 2012 Alfa Romeo Mito vehicles fall between 41,276 and 64,065 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 41,276 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.

✓ 41,276–64,065 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2012 Alfa Romeo Mitos sit.

⚠ Over 86,487 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 Mito — Still on the Road

Most 2012 Alfa Romeo Mitos are still being driven.

1,932 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 73% 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

13.1

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.21

Avg failures per vehicle

21.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2009 2010 2011 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Or browse all models: Alfa Romeo →

Compare with another model

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

Watch for defects — worth knowing