2003 Alfa Romeo 147 3.2L Petrol · B8 CNL

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance history reveals a pattern of reactive rather than proactive upkeep. While the most recent test in May 2025 at 86,094 miles passed, it followed an immediate failure just two days prior. The trend shows a recurring failure to address consumables before they expire, specifically regarding tyres and drivetrain-related rubber. This suggests the previous owner only attended to faults when they reached the MOT failure threshold rather than performing routine preventative maintenance. At 23 years old, the recorded mileage of 86,094 miles is significantly low, averaging approximately 3,700 miles per year. This low usage often leads to age-related degradation of rubber components rather than mechanical wear from distance. Between February 2023 and January 2024, the car covered 3,633 miles, followed by another 3,767 miles leading into the 2025 test. The consistent annual mileage indicates a vehicle that sits for long periods, which explains the perishing and cracking of the tyres noted in the recent records. A buyer must inspect the front suspension closely for further wear, as the 2024 failure flagged an excessively worn nearside front upper suspension arm bush. The 2025 failure identified a deteriorated CV boot on the nearside front outer drive shaft; this should be checked for grease leakage which would indicate an impending joint failure. Given the history of tyre sidew cracking and inner-edge wear, the current tyres are likely nearing the end of their structural life regardless of tread depth. A thorough inspection of the underside for corrosion is also essential, as low-mileage older Alfa Romeo chassis often suffer from hidden rust if left stationary in damp environments.