Buying a used Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeos have been exciting drivers for more than 100 years. With their roots firmly set in Italian racing, buying a used model is a great way to experience Alfa’s fun and flair without a huge price tag. From sporty hatchbacks to stylish SUVs, find out about the models available in the SPOTiCAR network and how to find the best one for you.  

Why buy a used Alfa Romeo?  

As a famous car reviewer once said, “You can’t be a true petrolhead until you’ve owned an Alfa Romeo.” First appearing on the streets of Naples and Milan in the early 1900s, Alfas have since become well-known for their legendary designs, exciting performance and plenty of power. So much so that they’ve earned a cult following amongst car lovers.  

With strong, historical links to the motorsport world, Alfas are famous for pushing the boundaries of innovation and being packed full of Italian style. Though more recent models, such as the Giulia and Stelvio have been developed to meet the practical demands of everyday car users, they still hold enough power and performance to satisfy any petrolhead.  

Which used Alfa Romeo model should you buy?  

If you want to buy a used car that will catch everyone’s attention, then Alfa Romeos should be on your list. With each model offering plenty of character, power and performance, here are the options available from SPOTiCAR. 

Alfa Romeo Giulia  

Released to mark Alfa Romeo’s 105th anniversary, the Giulia executive saloon was an innovation of the ‘future classic’ Alfa Romeo 159 model. New engine blocks, lightweight materials and improved safety systems were combined with the distinctive Alfa look to create powerful diesel and petrol engine versions. 

Available with six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearboxes, the diesel 2.2L JTD engine block offers between 136 and 210 horsepower, with the petrol 2.0L Turbo MultiAir or 2.0L Turbo Q4 Veloce engines giving out horsepower between 200 and 350. 

Alternatively, if you’re looking for a full-bodied Italian racer experience, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio can reach zero to more than 60mph in less than four seconds with its six-cylinder 2.9L V6 twin-turbo petrol engine block and 510 horsepower.  

If you want alternative specs, increased safety features or luxury interiors, then the Super, Sprint, Veloce, Ti and GTA versions are worth looking at.  

Alfa Romeo Giulietta 

With three generations launched since 2010, there are a large variety of Alfa Romeo Giulietta hatchback models now available on the used market. Placing second in the 2011 European Car of the Year awards, the Giulietta combined all the practicality of a family car with the glamorous looks Alfa-lovers would expect.  

Plus, the Giulietta didn’t lose any trademark Alfa performance. The diesel 1.6 and 2.0 JTDm engines offered power ranging from 105 to 170 horsepower and the petrol 1.4L T-Jet, 1.4L Multiair and 1750 Tbi gave between 105 and 240 horsepower depending on the model, with both six-speed manual and robotic gearbox options available.  

As ever, the Quadrifoglio Verde version of the Giulietta offers the ultimate sporty hot hatchback experience with a 1750 TBI petrol engine that was taken from Alfa’s 4C supercar. For extra comfort, onboard technology and luxurious or sporty interiors, the Super, Executive, Sport Edition and Veloce models offered extra levels of trim and finish.  

Alfa Romeo MiTo 

Combining the names of Milan and Turin where it was designed and manufactured, the MiTo supermini hatchback arrived on the market in 2009. With its stylish looks, efficient engine and exciting driving performance, the model was produced for ten years.  

With five and six-speed manual and automatic gearboxes, the standard MiTo model comes with 1.4L and 1.4L turbo petrol engines offering between 95 and 170 horsepower or 1.3L and 1.6L JTDm and JTDm-2 diesel engines with horsepower between 90 and 120. 

Revealed at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Quadrifoglio Verde model offered a 1.4L, 168 horsepower engine with a six-speed gearbox. There was also a more carbon-efficient TwinAir version of the MiTo which provided all the fun and character drivers would expect with less than 100g/km emissions.   

Alfa Romeo Stelvio 

A close relation to the Giulia in its looks and Alfa’s first step into the world of compact SUVs, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio is as good looking as it is spacious. Lightweight materials such as aluminium and carbon fibre alongside high suspension made it a premium and practical option on the SUV market.  

2.2L Multijet or 2.2L Multijet Q4 diesel engines gave the standard model 150 to 210 horsepower, with the 2.0L Turbo MultiAir four-cylinder petrol version providing horsepower between 200 and 280. Standard Stelvio models are available with six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic gearboxes.  

Alternatively, the Ferrari F154 2.9L V6 petrol engine in the Quadrifoglio model offers 510 horsepower alongside a high-performance Torque Vectoring system. Plus, the Business, Super, Sport Edition and Lusso models offer different exterior trim and interior technology and design options.  

What should you look out for in a used Alfa Romeo? 

Alfa Romeos are renowned for their high performance, though not always for their reliability. However, by checking a few key areas on your used Alfa, you can make sure you don’t end up paying more than you expect for maintenance and repair.  

• Check the maintenance history of the engine: the mechanical elements of most Alfas tend to be fairly reliable if they’ve been maintained regularly. So checking the service and MOT history of any Alfa before you buy it, and keeping up a regular maintenance routine, will help you keep it on the road.  

• Run an OBD scan: electronic failures can be an issue in some Alfas, so getting an OBD scanner to check for any warning errors is recommended before you buy. That way you won’t come up against any serious or unexpected issues further down the line.  

• Check the specs and trim: there are a huge range of models with different levels of exterior and interior trim. Certain options are more likely to use carbon fibre and aluminium, which is preferable if you want reliability. Also checking the wheels and tyres to see if they’re custom spec will help you figure out the cost of future replacements.  

• Ask when the cambelt or timing belt was changed: on Alfas, it’s recommended that this is replaced every three to five years rather than on a mileage basis. Knowing when the part was last replaced and factoring in this cost long term will help you decide whether the model is the right option for you.  

When you’re looking through Alfa ads, don’t just consider each car’s mileage. Inspect, test and run through the above checks to make sure it's exactly what you need and want. Plus, buying from an approved used car retailer with manufacturer-approved technicians, long-term warranties, comprehensive checks and guarantees will give you the reassurance that your used car will keep you happy and on the road.