Used buying checklist

Alfa Romeo Gt reliability, common problems and used buying checks

A used Alfa Romeo Gt looks worse than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 31.5% of 2,682 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.

Is a used Alfa Romeo Gt a good buy?

It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.

What should I check first?

Start with corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.

Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.

Before you view one

Focus on corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust

The model's recorded failure rate is 31.5%, +12.8 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.

  • MOT tests analysed2,682 tests
  • Median tested mileage98,626 miles
  • Failed MOT tests846
Used buyer verdict

Should you buy a used Alfa Romeo Gt?

68.5% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 31.5%, +12.8 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.

Worse than average in our MOT data
Green light if The car has a tidy MOT pattern, recent repairs for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust, matching tyres, and paperwork for service or recall work.
Renegotiate if The latest MOT mentions corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust, consumables are due together, or the seller cannot show what was fixed after advisories.
Walk away if Dangerous defects, corrosion near structural areas, warning lights, or the same component family keep returning without clear repair evidence.
  • Repeat unresolved MOT notes for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust
  • corrosion and structure appearing across more than one MOT
  • Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
  • No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
  • A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "corroded and seriously weakened"
Is a used Alfa Romeo Gt a good buy?

It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.

What should I check first?

Start with corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.

What usually fails on the Alfa Romeo Gt?

Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (62.9 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.

What starts showing up after high mileage on the Alfa Romeo Gt?

Past 100k miles on the Alfa Romeo Gt, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.

Is a Alfa Romeo Gt fault normal for its age?

The MOT failure rate rises from 0.0% at 6-10 years to 31.7% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.

What should I inspect first on a used Alfa Romeo Gt?

Start with corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.

Are there Alfa Romeo Gt safety recalls to know about?

4 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.

What should I check first?

Start with corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.

What changes with mileage?

Past 100k miles on the Alfa Romeo Gt, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.

0-50k miles corrosion and structure and emissions, engine, and exhaust. 120 tests in this mileage range
50-100k miles corrosion and structure and suspension and steering. 1,244 tests in this mileage range
100-150k miles corrosion and structure and suspension and steering. 1,072 tests in this mileage range
150-200k miles corrosion and structure and suspension and steering. 198 tests in this mileage range
200k+ miles corrosion and structure and emissions, engine, and exhaust. 17 tests in this mileage range
Common MOT problem areas
2,682 MOT tests analysed for this model
1,881 Distinct vehicles represented
31.5% Recorded MOT test failure rate — +12.8 percentage points vs all models

Common faults: what usually fails on this model?

Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (62.9 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.

Corrosion and structure
  • corroded and seriously weakened
  • corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened
62.9 MOT notes per 100 tests
Suspension and steering
  • ball joint has excessive play
  • has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering rack fitted)
27.5 MOT notes per 100 tests
Emissions, engine, and exhaust
  • leaking excessively from engine
  • has a major leak of exhaust gases
24.1 MOT notes per 100 tests
Lights and electrical
  • slightly loose
  • warning lamp indicates a fault
11.7 MOT notes per 100 tests
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors
  • damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view
  • provides insufficient washer liquid
8.5 MOT notes per 100 tests
Tyres and wheels
  • Nail in tyre
  • has no recorded effort at a wheel
1.7 MOT notes per 100 tests
Brakes
  • leaking such that brake functionality is affected
0.0 MOT notes per 100 tests
Recall-related areas to verify

Official recall areas

Manufacturer recall notices for the Alfa Romeo Gt mainly involve 3 areas: brakes, mixed recall notices, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.

Brakes
  • Brakes may fail
  • Braking efficiency may reduce
2 recalls · 4,637 vehicles
Mixed recall notices
  • Clutch may fail
1 recall · 5,355 vehicles
Emissions, engine, and exhaust
  • Possibility of fire
1 recall · 890 vehicles
Mileage and age checks

Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?

Past 100k miles on the Alfa Romeo Gt, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical.

Mileage range Tests Vehicles Failure rate (vs all models) Median mileage
0-50k 120 99 17.5%+6.7 percentage points vs all models 38,913 miles
50-100k 1,244 876 31.1%+10.4 percentage points vs all models 81,898 miles
100-150k 1,072 761 33.5%+7.3 percentage points vs all models 118,989 miles
150-200k 198 140 36.4%+9.1 percentage points vs all models 162,546 miles
200k+ 17 11 35.3%+8.7 percentage points vs all models 213,487 miles

Problem areas by mileage

Past 100k miles on the Alfa Romeo Gt, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.

Mileage range Car areas most often recorded Specific MOT defect examples
0-50k
  • Corrosion and structure (20.8 MOT notes per 100 tests)
  • Emissions, engine, and exhaust (15.0 MOT notes per 100 tests)
  • Lights and electrical (6.7 MOT notes per 100 tests)
  • No exact MOT wording is available for this mileage range.
50-100k
  • Corrosion and structure (54.4 MOT notes per 100 tests)
  • Suspension and steering (24.2 MOT notes per 100 tests)
  • Emissions, engine, and exhaust (22.7 MOT notes per 100 tests)
  • No exact MOT wording is available for this mileage range.
100-150k
  • Corrosion and structure (74.2 MOT notes per 100 tests)
  • Suspension and steering (32.7 MOT notes per 100 tests)
  • Emissions, engine, and exhaust (27.1 MOT notes per 100 tests)
  • No exact MOT wording is available for this mileage range.
150-200k
  • Corrosion and structure (84.3 MOT notes per 100 tests)
  • Suspension and steering (39.9 MOT notes per 100 tests)
  • Emissions, engine, and exhaust (24.8 MOT notes per 100 tests)
  • No exact MOT wording is available for this mileage range.
200k+
  • Corrosion and structure (105.9 MOT notes per 100 tests)
  • Emissions, engine, and exhaust (47.1 MOT notes per 100 tests)
  • Lights and electrical (11.8 MOT notes per 100 tests)
  • No exact MOT wording is available for this mileage range.

Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?

The MOT failure rate rises from 0.0% at 6-10 years to 31.7% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 31.7% for 15+ years cars, based on 1,919 tests.

Age range Tests Vehicles Failure rate (vs all models) Median age
6-10 years
2016–2020 reg.
2 2 0.0%-16.6 percentage points vs all models 6.5 years
10-15 years
2011–2016 reg.
761 530 31.1%+7.6 percentage points vs all models 14.4 years
15+ years
pre-2011 reg.
1,919 1,361 31.7%+5.8 percentage points vs all models 16.3 years
Recall records and data freshness

Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?

4 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.

2007-12-07 BRAKES MAY FAIL
Due to the possibility of a fault in the production process the flexible rubber brake hoses may not have been correctly vulcanised. As a consequence may partially or totally restrict the internal flow of the brake hydraulic fluid. Should this happen a reduction in efficiency during braking would occur.
Recalled vehicles will have the hoses checked to identify if they are within the affected batch. If this is the case they will be replaced with quality assured items.
2007-08-10 POSSIBILITY OF FIRE
There is a possibility that the fuel hose from the diesel filter to the high pressure pump may chafe on the fuel filter housing. In time this could result in a fuel leak and the possibility of an engine compartment fire.
Recalled vehicles will have the routing of the hose checked at which time if the hose is not damaged a new bracket will be fitted to prevent chafing. If the hose is damaged it will be replaced in addition a new bracket will be fitted.
2006-10-17 CLUTCH MAY FAIL
On a number of RHD ALfa Romeo 147 and GT models there is a possibility that the clip which secures the connecting pin between the clutch cylinder and the clutch pedal may become detached resulting in loss of clutch operation.
Recalled vehicles will be fitted with a redesigned retaining clip.
2006-09-19 BRAKING EFFICIENCY MAY REDUCE
The Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system does not operate properly when the space saver spare wheel is fitted. This could lead to the VDC warning lamp operating and may lead to reduced braking efficiency if the brakes are vigorously applied.
Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to fit a new VDC electronic control unit that has upgraded software installed.

Related searches

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Used car reliability rankings

Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.

High-mileage reliability

Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.

MOT failures by age

Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.

Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.

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