1981 Alfa Romeo Spider MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Spider models manufactured in 1981, based on 100 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1981 Alfa Romeo Spider MOT Analysis
The 1981 Alfa Romeo Spider has an MOT pass rate of 55.0% based on 100 tests — below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 61,718 miles on the odometer. With a 45.0% failure rate, the 1981 Spider is rated as "Poor" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1981 Alfa Romeo Spider is Noise, emissions and leaks, responsible for 1.0% of failures. Emissions failures occur when exhaust gases exceed legal limits for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), or particulate matter (diesel). Common causes include faulty oxygen sensors, clogged catalytic converters, or DPF issues on diesel vehicles. Typical repair costs range from £100–1,000+. Road Wheels is the second most common issue at 1.0%. Suspension follows at 1.0%.
Top failures specific to 1981 models only. The overall Spider page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 1.0% | 1 |
| 2 | Road Wheels | 1.0% | 1 |
| 3 | Suspension | 1.0% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 61,718 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
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| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.16 | 1.0% | 1 |
| Wheels | 0.16 | 1.0% | 1 |
| Suspension | 0.16 | 1.0% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1981 Alfa Romeo Spider has an MOT pass rate of 55.0% based on 100 tests — below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 61,718 miles on the odometer. With a 45.0% failure rate, the 1981 Spider is rated as "Poor" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1981 Alfa Romeo Spider, be prepared for above-average maintenance costs. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to noise, emissions and leaks: If the engine management light is on, get it diagnosed before the MOT. For diesel cars, ensure the DPF has completed a regeneration cycle. Regular servicing and using premium fuel before the test can help. At 61,718 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Noise, emissions and leaks — 1.0% of failures
Noise, emissions and leaks issues account for 1.0% of MOT failures on 1981 Alfa Romeo Spider models. Emissions failures occur when exhaust gases exceed legal limits for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), or particulate matter (diesel). Common causes include faulty oxygen sensors, clogged catalytic converters, or DPF issues on diesel vehicles. Typical repair costs: £100–1,000+. Pre-MOT check: If the engine management light is on, get it diagnosed before the MOT. For diesel cars, ensure the DPF has completed a regeneration cycle. Regular servicing and using premium fuel before the test can help.
Road Wheels — 1.0% of failures
Road Wheels issues account for 1.0% of MOT failures on 1981 Alfa Romeo Spider models. Wheel failures include cracked or severely corroded alloy wheels, missing or loose wheel nuts, and wheels that are insecurely attached. These are safety-critical and relatively rare compared to tyre failures. Typical repair costs: £100–400 per wheel. Pre-MOT check: Visually inspect wheels for cracks, especially around the spokes and rim. Check that all wheel nuts are present and tightened. Look for signs of impact damage on alloy wheels.
Suspension — 1.0% of failures
Suspension issues account for 1.0% of MOT failures on 1981 Alfa Romeo Spider models. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.