2004 Alfa Romeo 156 2.0L Petrol · LJ04 PEL
2004 Alfa Romeo 156 (2.0L, petrol). First registered 31 Dec 2004. Recorded mileage 48,089 miles. MOT expired on 20 Sept 2023.
- Make & Model
- ALFA ROMEO 156
- Year / Origin
- 2004 · Wimbledon (South London)
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 20 Sept 2023
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 48,089 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 2.0L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
LJ04 PEL Key Findings
- 3 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT failed on 07/09/2023
- 48,089 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 10 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (6 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
LJ04 PEL MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
3 MOT tests are recorded for this 2004 Alfa Romeo 156 (LJ04 PEL) between September 2022 and September 2023.
The record contains 1 pass and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 07 September 2023 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (6 issues), Tyres (4 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (3 issues), Suspension (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 7 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn inner bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))”; “Offside Rear Seat belt webbing significantly weakened (7.1.2 (b) (ii))”; “Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))”.
LJ04 PEL Mileage History
- 21/09/202238,363 mi
- 21/09/202238,363 mi
- 07/09/202348,089 mi+9,726 mi
Average of roughly 10,122 miles per year across 3 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
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Known faults for Alfa Romeo Alfa Romeo 156
Our database tracks 3 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Poor
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Common Problems: ALFA ROMEO 156
Known issues reported by owners and MOT testers.
- Cam Variator Rattle and Cam Belt Wear(Serious)
The Twin Spark engines on the 156 use a cam variator to adjust valve timing. When worn, it produces a distinctive diesel-like rattle on startup that lasts a few seconds. Alfa originally specified a 72,000-mile cam belt interval but reduced this to 36,000 miles from November 2006. A failed cam belt causes catastrophic engine damage.
- V6 Water Pump Failure(Serious)
The 2.5 and 3.2 litre Busso V6 engines on the 156 use a water pump with a plastic impeller that can crack over time. This causes coolant loss, overheating and potential engine damage. Alfa Workshop recommends replacing the water pump at the same time as the cam belt, typically every 60,000 miles on V6 models.
- Air Flow Meter Failure(Moderate)
The 156's air flow meter (MAF sensor) can fail, causing poor engine performance, hesitation, rough idle and increased fuel consumption. A faulty MAF sends incorrect airflow data to the ECU, resulting in incorrect fuelling. Replacement sensors cost around £120 and are a common fault on higher-mileage examples.
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ALFA ROMEO 156 Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
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Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 2004 model year cars.
- Cam Variator Rattle and Cam Belt WearSerious
The Twin Spark engines on the 156 use a cam variator to adjust valve timing. When worn, it produces a distinctive diesel-like rattle on startup that lasts a few seconds. Alfa originally specified a 72,000-mile cam belt interval but reduced this to 36,000 miles from November 2006. A failed cam belt causes catastrophic engine damage.
- V6 Water Pump FailureSerious
The 2.5 and 3.2 litre Busso V6 engines on the 156 use a water pump with a plastic impeller that can crack over time. This causes coolant loss, overheating and potential engine damage. Alfa Workshop recommends replacing the water pump at the same time as the cam belt, typically every 60,000 miles on V6 models.
- Air Flow Meter FailureModerate
The 156's air flow meter (MAF sensor) can fail, causing poor engine performance, hesitation, rough idle and increased fuel consumption. A faulty MAF sends incorrect airflow data to the ECU, resulting in incorrect fuelling. Replacement sensors cost around £120 and are a common fault on higher-mileage examples.
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