Car statistics
How many Alfa Romeo 159s are still on the road in Great Britain, how many are declared off the road, how new registrations have changed and which fuels they use. Built from DVLA licensing records and 2,812 DVSA MOT tests.
There were 2,079 Alfa Romeo 159s licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 1,591 declared off the road (SORN). That is 77.2% fewer than the peak of 9,131 in 2011.
Numbers peaked in 2011 and have fallen every year since, as older cars are scrapped faster than new ones are registered.
| Year | Licensed |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 1,447 |
| 2007 | 4,078 |
| 2008 | 5,998 |
| 2009 | 7,613 |
| 2010 | 8,442 |
| 2011 | 9,131 |
| 2012 | 9,125 |
| 2013 | 9,093 |
| 2014 | 8,836 |
| 2015 | 8,575 |
| 2016 | 8,212 |
| 2017 | 7,652 |
| 2018 | 6,993 |
| 2019 | 6,279 |
| 2020 | 5,571 |
| 2021 | 4,864 |
| 2022 | 4,206 |
| 2023 | 3,448 |
| 2024 | 2,738 |
| 2025 | 2,184 |
| 2026 | 2,079 |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
3 versions of the Alfa Romeo 159 have their own page. The figures above include every version; each version page covers only the cars DVLA records under that version’s name.
| Version | Licensed | SORN |
|---|---|---|
| Alfa Romeo 159 TI | 580 | 397 |
| Alfa Romeo 159 TI TBI | 150 | 41 |
| Alfa Romeo 159 Lusso TBI | 103 | 14 |
In 2025, 57.5% of Alfa Romeo 159 MOT tests were passed first time, against 72.8% for all cars. Cars of the same ages as the Alfa Romeo 159s tested pass 59.4% of the time, so the Alfa Romeo 159 does worse than average for its age, by 1.9 points. In 2024 its pass rate was 55.8%.
Comparing like with like: each bar pair covers cars of the same age, so an older average age does not count against a model.
| Vehicle age | Alfa Romeo 159 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 11–14 years | 59.8% | 65.5% |
| 15–19 years | 57.0% | 58.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Suspension is the most common reason a Alfa Romeo 159 fails its MOT, appearing on 46.9% of failed tests. A failed test can have defects in more than one category, so shares add up to more than 100%. 11.9% of Alfa Romeo 159 tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 7.3% for all cars.
| Defect category | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 46.9% |
| Brakes | 35.3% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 35.0% |
| Tyres | 20.1% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 18.6% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 18.6% |
| Visibility | 12.0% |
| Steering | 8.2% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
The single most common reason a Alfa Romeo 159 failed its MOT in 2025 was “Parking brake efficiency below requirements”, on 21.7% of 1,196 failed tests. 68.1% of tests ended with at least one advisory, a problem to watch that did not fail the test; the most common was “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge”. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.
Share of failed tests with each defect. A test can fail for more than one.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Parking brake efficiency below requirements Brakes | 21.7% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken Suspension | 15.8% |
| Component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Suspension | 12.0% |
| Position lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 9.4% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction Noise, emissions and leaks | 8.2% |
| Tyres: ply or cords exposed Tyres | 8.2% |
| Suspension arms: ball joint excessively worn Suspension | 7.9% |
| Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres | 7.7% |
| Service brake performance: excessively binding Brakes | 6.2% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Visibility | 5.9% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Share of all tests with each advisory: worth checking on a car you are buying.
| Advisory | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres | 26.6% |
| Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks | 19.5% |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened Suspension | 12.8% |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes | 11.9% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension | 7.5% |
| Brake pads: wearing thin Brakes | 6.1% |
| Service brake performance: binding but not excessively Brakes | 5.7% |
| Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened Suspension | 5.6% |
| Exhaust system: minor leak of exhaust gases Body, chassis, structure | 5.5% |
| Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres | 5.3% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
3 years of the Alfa Romeo 159, by year of first registration, have their own page with MOT results, common faults, mileage and how many are left. Against all cars of the same age, the 2009 cars did best at their 2025 MOT (59.2% passed first time) and the 2010 cars worst (56.1%).
| Year | Registered | Left | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | – | 749 | 55.8% |
| 2009 | – | 753 | 59.2% |
| 2010 | – | 646 | 56.1% |
Registered: cars on the DVLA record at the end of the year they were first registered (these counts start in 2014, so older years show a dash). Left: licensed or declared SORN at the end of 2025. Both cover the United Kingdom. Pass rate: first-time passes at normal MOT tests in Great Britain in 2025; all cars: every car first registered the same year.
The average Alfa Romeo 159 covers 5,520 miles a year, worked out from odometer readings at consecutive MOT tests.
| Vehicle age | Miles a year |
|---|---|
| 11–14 years | 6,147 |
| 15–19 years | 5,380 |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Registrations of Alfa Romeo 159s for the first time in Great Britain peaked at 2,884 in 2007. In 2025, 3 were registered. With almost none registered new, the number on the road is likely to keep falling.
| Year | First registrations |
|---|---|
| ’01 | 0 |
| ’02 | 0 |
| ’03 | 0 |
| ’04 | 0 |
| ’05 | 7 |
| ’06 | 1,596 |
| ’07 | 2,884 |
| ’08 | 2,002 |
| ’09 | 1,571 |
| ’10 | 1,035 |
| ’11 | 663 |
| ’12 | 117 |
| ’13 | 1 |
| ’14 | 0 |
| ’15 | 3 |
| ’16 | 0 |
| ’17 | 0 |
| ’18 | 2 |
| ’19 | 7 |
| ’20 | 2 |
| ’21 | 0 |
| ’22 | 10 |
| ’23 | 1 |
| ’24 | 2 |
| ’25 | 3 |
Source:DfT / DVLA 2001 to 2025 Updated
Of the 2,238 Alfa Romeo 159s licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 57.1% have an engine of 1,901cc to 2,000cc, and 16.9% have an engine of 2,301cc to 2,400cc. The share with an engine of 1,701cc to 1,800cc has grown from 6.5% in 2014 to 15.6%. Petrols made up 16.6% of those licensed in 2014 and 25.9% in 2025.
DVLA records engine size in 100cc bands.
| Engine size | Share of those licensed |
|---|---|
| 1,901cc to 2,000cc 1,279 licensed | 57.1% |
| 2,301cc to 2,400cc 379 licensed | 16.9% |
| 1,701cc to 1,800cc 349 licensed | 15.6% |
| 2,101cc to 2,200cc 141 licensed | 6.3% |
| 3,101cc to 3,200cc 83 licensed | 3.7% |
| Other sizes 7 licensed | 0.3% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
| Engine size | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,901–2,000cc | Diesel | 1,279 | 57.1% |
| 2,301–2,400cc | Diesel | 379 | 16.9% |
| 1,701–1,800cc | Petrol | 349 | 15.6% |
| 2,101–2,200cc | Petrol | 141 | 6.3% |
| 3,101–3,200cc | Petrol | 83 | 3.7% |
Share of those licensed at the end of each year, for the most common sizes.
| Year | 1,901–2,000cc | 2,301–2,400cc | 1,701–1,800cc | 2,101–2,200cc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 62.3% | 21.0% | 6.5% | 6.5% |
| 2015 | 62.5% | 20.8% | 6.5% | 6.4% |
| 2016 | 62.7% | 20.6% | 6.8% | 6.4% |
| 2017 | 62.4% | 20.8% | 7.0% | 6.4% |
| 2018 | 62.7% | 20.3% | 7.3% | 6.2% |
| 2019 | 63.2% | 19.5% | 8.0% | 6.0% |
| 2020 | 63.0% | 19.3% | 8.4% | 6.0% |
| 2021 | 62.8% | 18.8% | 9.1% | 5.9% |
| 2022 | 62.0% | 18.6% | 9.9% | 6.1% |
| 2023 | 60.8% | 17.8% | 11.4% | 6.2% |
| 2024 | 59.6% | 17.3% | 13.2% | 6.3% |
| 2025 | 57.1% | 16.9% | 15.6% | 6.3% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
Share of those licensed at the end of each year.
| Year | Diesel | Petrol |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 83.4% | 16.6% |
| 2015 | 83.4% | 16.6% |
| 2016 | 83.4% | 16.6% |
| 2017 | 83.2% | 16.8% |
| 2018 | 83.0% | 17.0% |
| 2019 | 82.8% | 17.2% |
| 2020 | 82.4% | 17.6% |
| 2021 | 81.7% | 18.3% |
| 2022 | 80.6% | 19.4% |
| 2023 | 78.7% | 21.3% |
| 2024 | 76.9% | 23.1% |
| 2025 | 74.1% | 25.9% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
United Kingdom figures from DfT table VEH0220 (licensed cars at the end of each year, SORN excluded), so they differ slightly from the Great Britain counts elsewhere on this page. How we use engine sizes.
The Vehicle Certification Agency’s new car data lists the Alfa Romeo 159 from 2006 to 2011. On the NEDC test (listings 2006 to 2011), official combined fuel economy for its petrol and diesel versions ranges from 21.4 to 55.4 mpg, with CO2 of 134 to 314 g/km.
| Engine and fuel | Combined mpg | CO2 g/km | Listed | Euro standard | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.7 petrol | 34.0–36.2 | 182–194 | 2010–2011 | Euro 5 | 4 |
| 1.8 petrol | 36.2–37.2 | 179–183 | 2008–2009 | Euro 4 | 4 |
| 1.9 petrol | 32.1–32.5 | 205–209 | 2006–2007 | Euro 4 | 2 |
| 2.2 petrol | 29.7–30.7 | 218–224 | 2006–2010 | Euro 4 | 8 |
| 3.2 petrol | 21.4–25.7 | 260–314 | 2006–2010 | Euro 4 | 18 |
| 1.9 diesel | 39.2–54.3 | 138–190 | 2006–2010 | Euro 4 | 18 |
| 2.0 diesel | 51.4–55.4 | 134–145 | 2010–2011 | Euro 5 | 6 |
| 2.4 diesel | 34.9–41.5 | 179–215 | 2006–2010 | Euro 4 | 20 |
Source:VCA July 2000 to 15 September 2026 Updated
DVSA lists 4 safety recalls for the Alfa Romeo 159 since 1992, the first in 2007. The most recent was launched on 13 April 2009.
All 4 Alfa Romeo 159 recalls, with defects, remedies and build dates
A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every Alfa Romeo 159. The details come from manufacturers through DVSA, which says they may be delayed or incomplete. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check or ask the manufacturer or a dealer. How we match recalls to models.
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated
| Model | Licensed | Change on a year | SORN | Rank | Main fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfa Romeo 159 | 2,079 | −20.7% | 1,591 | 551 | Diesel |
| Alfa Romeo Giulietta | 22,229 | −6.2% | 1,473 | 224 | Petrol |
| Alfa Romeo Mito | 14,724 | −11.9% | 1,861 | 293 | Petrol |
| Alfa Romeo Giulia | 7,854 | +1.6% | 360 | 371 | Petrol |
| Alfa Romeo Stelvio | 4,530 | +1.9% | 79 | 446 | Petrol |
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed and SORN counts | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | End of March 2026 | 3,670 159 records (licensed and SORN) | 15 September 2026 |
| Registered for the first time | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | 2001 to 2025 | – | 15 September 2026 |
| MOT results and mileage | Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Derived statistics UK Motoring | 2025 | 2,812 MOT tests | 15 September 2026 |
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
