1998 Alfa Romeo 156 2.5L Petrol · S851 DGT
1998 Alfa Romeo 156 (2.5L, petrol). First registered 20 Nov 1998. Recorded mileage 107,637 miles. MOT expired on 03 Mar 2026. Currently declared SORN.
- Make & Model
- ALFA ROMEO 156
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Glasgow
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 03 Mar 2026
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 107,637 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 2.5L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
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S851 DGT Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT failed on 18/03/2026
- 107,637 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 12 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (4 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
S851 DGT 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 1998 Alfa Romeo 156 (S851 DGT) between March 2023 and March 2026.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 18 March 2026 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (4 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (3 issues), Steering (2 issues), Suspension (2 issues), Brakes (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 5 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 Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))”; “Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))”; “Offside Front Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 ”.
S851 DGT Mileage History
- 04/03/202399,703 mi
- 04/03/202399,703 mi
- 04/03/2024100,323 mi+620 mi
- 28/02/2025105,038 mi+4,715 mi
- 18/03/2026107,637 mi+2,599 mi
Average of roughly 2,610 miles per year across 5 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 1998 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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