2009 Alfa Romeo 159 1.9L Diesel · RE58 YAF

The Alfa Romeo 159 holds a valid MOT certificate issued on 8 April 2026 at 160,594 miles, but the maintenance picture is mixed. The most recent test passed, yet it carried two advisories for nearside steering rack inner joint play and slight power steering fluid seepage from the rack. Just eight days earlier, on 31 March 2026, the car failed on the same steering rack defects plus an inoperative nearside parking brake and insufficient parking brake efficiency. That the car failed and passed within the same month suggests the parking brake was addressed between tests, but the steering rack issues persist as unresolved advisories. The trend is not cleanly improving. Steering wear has recurred across multiple tests, and a fractured nearside rear coil spring appeared in April 2025, indicating suspension components have been under strain. The mileage progression tells a fairly consistent story. Between April 2024 at 147,984 miles and April 2025 at 154,400 miles, the car covered roughly 6,400 miles. From April 2025 to April 2026, it added about 6,200 miles, bringing the total to 160,594. That annual rate of just over 6,000 miles is on the lower side for a 17-year-old vehicle, which typically sees around 9,500 miles per year. The modest accumulation could reflect lighter use or extended periods of inactivity, both of which carry their own risks, including deteriorated rubber components, stale brake fluid, and potential corrosion in systems that benefit from regular operation. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the steering and suspension systems first. The nearside steering rack inner joint has appeared as an advisory in tests spanning April 2024, April 2025, and April 2026, making it a persistent wear point that will likely need rack or inner tie rod replacement. The power steering seepage noted in the most recent test warrants close examination of the rack seals and pipework. Suspension demands equal attention. The fractured nearside rear coil spring flagged in April 2025 was apparently repaired before the subsequent pass, but the offside rear spring and both front springs should be checked for cracks or sag. Rear shock absorbers were flagged as at risk of detachment in the same 2025 failure, so both units need inspection for mounting integrity and damping performance. The parking brake fault from March 2026 was rectified before the April pass, but the mechanism should be tested on a slope to confirm consistent hold on both sides. Given the car's age and the recurring nature of these advisories, a full underbody inspection for corrosion, particularly around suspension mounting points and subframes, is advisable. The steering and suspension wear pattern suggests the car has not been neglected, but it has not been maintained to a standard that prevents recurring defects. Budget for steering rack work and suspension component renewal as near-term requirements.