2008 Alfa Romeo 159 2.2L Petrol · MM57 AAO
2008 Alfa Romeo 159 (2.2L, petrol). First registered 14 Jan 2008. Recorded mileage 79,264 miles. MOT valid until 17 Nov 2026.
- Make & Model
- ALFA ROMEO 159
- Year / Origin
- 2008 · Manchester & Merseyside
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 17 Nov 2026
- Road Tax
- Untaxed (31 Dec 2025)
- Recorded Mileage
- 79,264 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- ULEZ Compliant (Euro 4+)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 2.2L
- 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.
MM57 AAO Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 18/11/2025
- 79,264 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 10 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring tyres items (5 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
MM57 AAO MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 2008 Alfa Romeo 159 (MM57 AAO) between August 2023 and November 2025.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 18 November 2025 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Tyres (5 issues), Suspension (3 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (2 issues), Steering (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 21 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: “Power steering pipe/hose leaking (2.1.5 (a))”; “Nearside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))”.
MM57 AAO Mileage History
- 24/08/202376,532 mi
- 30/08/202478,747 mi+2,215 mi
- 30/08/202478,747 mi
- 03/11/202579,250 mi+503 mi
- 18/11/202579,264 mi+14 mi
Average of roughly 1,221 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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Known faults for Alfa Romeo Alfa Romeo 159
Our database tracks 4 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Good
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.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Exercise significant caution before purc
If you are considering this vehicle, you must budget for immediate mechanical and structural repairs. The most pressing issues are the recorded coolant leak and the oil leak, which were noted in both the 2025 failure and subsequent pass. You should also investigate the extent of the sub-frame corrosion, as this was flagged as 'not seriously weakened' in 2025, but is a known progressive issue for this model.
Negotiate the price downwards to account for the necessary work on the suspension components, such as the anti-roll bar linkages and shock absorbers, which were highlighted in the 2025 MOT. Ensure you ask for evidence of any work carried out to rectify the fractured coil spring and the power steering hose leak identified during the November 2025 failure.
Running this 2198cc petrol engine will involve moderate fuel costs, typically higher than a standard diesel equivalent. Being a 2008 model, insurance groups can vary significantly depending on the driver's profile, but the 2.2L engine size suggests a mid-range group.
Maintenance costs are likely to be higher than average due to the frequency of suspension and leak-related advisories. Expect higher-than-normal annual maintenance spending to address the recurring issues with seals, hoses, and chassis corrosion. An estimated annual running cost is approximately £1,400-£1,700, including fuel, tax, insurance, and anticipated repairs.
A thorough underbody inspection is mandatory. The MOT history explicitly records corrosion on both the front and rear sub-frames, as well as the rear anti-roll bar. You need to determine if this corrosion is surface-level or structural. Additionally, inspect the engine bay for signs of the coolant and oil leaks mentioned in the 2025 records.
Check the suspension thoroughly; the recent history notes worn anti-roll bar linkages, bushes, and shock absorber casing damage. Finally, verify that the power steering system is secure, as a leaking power steering pipe was a specific cause for failure in November 2025.
This 2008 Alfa Romeo 159, finished in red with a 2.2L petrol engine, has covered 79,264 miles as of its last test. The MOT history reveals a concerning trend of escalating issues, moving from a clean record in 2023 to multiple failures and numerous advisories in 2024 and 2025. Notable concerns include recurring sub-frame corrosion, oil and coolant leaks, and suspension wear.
Aggregate data for this model shows a 70.4% average MOT pass rate, suggesting that nearly 30% of these vehicles face issues that prevent a pass.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
Common Problems: ALFA ROMEO 159
Known issues reported by owners and MOT testers.
- Front Subframe Corrosion(Serious)
The front subframes were poorly protected from the factory and are prone to severe rusting in the UK climate. Replacing one is expensive due to parts and labor.
- M32 Gearbox Bearing Failure(Serious)
The M32 6-speed gearbox used in 1.9 diesels and 2.2 petrols has weak bearings that fail over time, especially if the oil is not changed.
- Power Steering Rack Failure(Serious)
Early cars used red steering fluid which damaged the rack seals. Many have been converted to green fluid, but the damage may already be done.
- Stretched Timing Chain (JTS Engines)(Moderate)
The 1.9 and 2.2 JTS petrol engines can suffer from stretched timing chains, often caused by long oil change intervals.
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ALFA ROMEO 159 Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 2008 model year cars.
- Front Subframe CorrosionSerious
The front subframes were poorly protected from the factory and are prone to severe rusting in the UK climate. Replacing one is expensive due to parts and labor.
- M32 Gearbox Bearing FailureSerious
The M32 6-speed gearbox used in 1.9 diesels and 2.2 petrols has weak bearings that fail over time, especially if the oil is not changed.
- Power Steering Rack FailureSerious
Early cars used red steering fluid which damaged the rack seals. Many have been converted to green fluid, but the damage may already be done.
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