Alfa Romeo Spider (2008)
2008 Alfa Romeo Spider
CarHunch analysed 706 real MOT records for the 2008 Alfa Romeo Spider. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2008 Alfa Romeo Spider's first-time pass rate of 81.4% is marginally ahead of the UK average, but the alarming 41.5% of vehicles flagged for dangerous defects makes this a genuine buyer concern—that's roughly double the typical rate. Petrol versions perform slightly better at 82% pass rate versus diesel at 79.1%, suggesting petrol is the safer choice if you're shopping for one.
These Spiders average around 50,000 miles—reasonable for their age—yet accumulate a hefty 16.9 advisories per test, indicating persistent wear and minor issues typical of ageing Italian sports cars. With 3.24 failures per vehicle on average, budget for regular maintenance and have any used example thoroughly inspected for suspension, braking, and electrical gremlins before committing.
What to check before buying a 2008 Alfa Romeo Spider
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.
- ⚠️ 41.5% 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 Spider
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (80%) | 562 | 82% | 3.17 |
| Diesel (20%) | 143 | 79.1% | 3.55 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2008 Alfa Romeo Spider 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 2008 Alfa Romeo Spider vehicles fall between 33,007 and 60,673 miles.
2008 Alfa Romeo Spider — Still on the Road
515 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 78% of the peak remain.
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 — 2008 Alfa Romeo Spider
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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54.5%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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52.2%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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51.8%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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46.5%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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39.3%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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37%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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33.4%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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31.6%
Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2008. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Alfa Romeo Spider?
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