2004 Alfa Romeo 156 1.7L Petrol · FP04 RXK

The Alfa Romeo 156 presents a current roadworthy status with a passed MOT recorded on 7 September 2024 at 158,712 miles, showing no defects. The maintenance trend appears stable across the available history, with clean passes in 2022 and 2024 and no advisories or mechanical faults logged at any stage. The repeated fail-and-pass pairs on the same dates in 2023 and 2024 suggest administrative re-tests rather than genuine mechanical defects, as the records list no defects on either attempt. Mileage accumulation is consistent with typical use for a 22-year-old vehicle. The odometer rose from 140,222 miles at the 24 September 2022 test to 150,711 miles by 16 September 2023, then to 158,712 miles by 7 September 2024. That equates to roughly 8,000 to 10,000 miles per year in the recorded period, slightly above the lifetime average of 7,214 but not indicative of harsh commercial use. The sparse three-year record gives limited insight into earlier ownership, though the absence of flagged corrosion or worn suspension bushes implies reasonable basic upkeep. A buyer should still commission an in-person inspection of structural integrity and underbody corrosion, given the car's age and Italian steel's known vulnerability to rot in sills and subframes. The MOT history logs no advisories on brake discs, coil springs, or exhaust emissions, yet testers at 158,712 miles may have overlooked early wear. Verify the suspension bushes and binding calipers during a road test, as these items degrade silently without triggering automatic failures. The duplicated failure entries on 16 September 2023 and 7 September 2024 at identical mileages point to clerical or documentation issues at the testing station rather than owner neglect. Previous keepers likely maintained the vehicle to a passable standard. Given the clean sheet, focus physical checks on age-related perishing of rubber components and intermittent electrical faults common to the 156 platform.