Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: EurovisionNim, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: EurovisionNim, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Petar Milošević, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
Well-protected compact (type 940) with a 5-star Euro NCAP rating in 2010. Caradisiac considers its reliability rather poor: few immobilising breakdowns but many irritating faults. The sensitive points are the TCT automatic gearbox, the MultiAir unit of the 1.4 engines, coolant leaks and the tailgate wiring harness: a complete service history is essential.
- Reliability
- 3.0/5
- Indicative prices
- €5,500 – €14,000
- Monthly cost
- €321
- Euro NCAP
- 5/5
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: 1.4 T-Jet 120, 1.6 JTDm 120.
1.4 T-Jet 120
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Manual · 120 hp · Crit'Air 2
1.4 turbo petrol engine, 120 hp, 215 Nm, 6-speed manual gearbox (L'argus data sheet). Without the MultiAir unit or the TCT gearbox.
1.4 MultiAir 150
Petrol · Manual · 150 hp · Crit'Air 2
1.4 MultiAir petrol engine, 150 hp, manual gearbox (L'argus data sheet). Check the service history (oil).
1.4 MultiAir 170 TCT
Petrol · Automatic · 170 hp · Crit'Air 2
1.4 MultiAir petrol engine, 170 hp, available with the TCT dual-clutch automatic gearbox (La Tribune Auto).
1.6 JTDm 120
✓ RecommendedDiesel · Manual · 120 hp · Crit'Air 3
1.6 diesel engine, 120 hp, also available with the TCT gearbox (L'argus). Clutch and EGR valve to watch (Roulez Jeunesse).
2.0 JTDm 175 TCT
Diesel · Automatic · 175 hp · Crit'Air 3
2.0 diesel engine, 175 hp, paired with the TCT automatic gearbox (La Tribune Auto, L'argus). Flywheel cited on the 2.0 JTDm 140 and 170 (Caradisiac).
Market prices
€5,500 – €14,000
Indicative range: 2010 to 2020, yearly medians of 231 online listings collected by iAutos (years with at least 3 listings).
Collected on 20 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
TCT automatic gearbox: jerking and gear-change faults
Severity 2/3 · CostlyThe TCT dual-clutch gearbox can jerk or refuse to engage a gear, from 40,000 to 60,000 km according to Autodoc. Owners describe jerking when cold on the 1st-to-2nd shift, and repairs to the gearbox control unit or actuator (Caradisiac forum). Sources are mostly from forums.
- Versions
- 1.4 MultiAir 170 TCT, 2.0 JTDm 175 TCT
- Onset
- between 40,000 km and 60,000 km
- Repair
- not documented
MultiAir unit on 1.4 engines: misfires and limp mode
Severity 2/3 · CostlyOn 1.4 MultiAir engines, owners report failures of the MultiAir unit (misfiring, limp mode), mostly on early units, often handled under warranty (PistonHeads). Oil that does not meet the required specification or delayed oil changes are cited as aggravating factors (CarChecker, GiuliaForums). Sources are forums and a commercial site.
- Versions
- 1.4 MultiAir 150, 1.4 MultiAir 170 TCT
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
2.0 JTDm flywheel
Severity 2/3 · CostlyCaradisiac reports a few cases of premature flywheel failure on the 2.0 JTDm 140 and 170 diesels, which also requires replacing the clutch, though this is not widespread. One such account appears on Fiches-auto (2.0 JTD 140).
- Versions
- 2.0 JTDm 175 TCT
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Coolant leaks (water pump)
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingCaradisiac reports coolant leaks linked to the water pump. Roulez Jeunesse cites a faulty water pump on the 1.4 T-Jet petrol and 1750 TBi engines.
- Versions
- 1.4 T-Jet 120, 1.4 MultiAir 150, 1.4 MultiAir 170 TCT
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Tailgate wiring harness severed
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingThe wires running through the tailgate break from repeated opening and closing, causing rear wiper or rear light failures, or lighting warning messages (AlfaOwner and Alfa-giulietta.net forums). Forum sources.
- Versions
- 1.4 T-Jet 120, 1.4 MultiAir 150, 1.4 MultiAir 170 TCT, 1.6 JTDm 120, 2.0 JTDm 175 TCT
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Alfa Romeo Giulietta”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Real monthly cost
Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated
| Fuel or electricity | €146 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €51 |
| Maintenance | €24 |
| Depreciation | €100 |
| Total per month | €321 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- Consumption taken from a published range (depends on trim and tyres).
- Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
- Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
- Fuel (diesel)€146
1.6 JTDm 120 version: combined consumption of 5.4 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.347 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
5.4 × 1.15 × 2.347 € × 10 = €146
Diesel price: French national average on 7 October 2026.
- Insurance€51
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€24
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€100
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Alfa Romeo Giulietta III — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Require the complete service history, with regular oil changes and oil that meets the specification (1.4 MultiAir).
- Cold test for a TCT: jerking, or refusal to engage a gear, especially from 1st to 2nd.
- Look for any trace of coolant around the water pump and check the level.
- 2.0 JTDm diesel: listen for rattles on start-up and shutdown, and check the condition of the clutch.
- Open and close the tailgate while testing the rear wiper, the lights and the lighting warning lights.
- 2.0 JTDm TCT: ask an Alfa Romeo dealer, using the VIN, whether the July 2015 recall on the TCT gearbox harness has been carried out (Caradisiac).
Questions to ask the seller
- Has the TCT gearbox already been repaired or reprogrammed, and do you have the invoices?
- Which oil was used for the oil changes, and how often were they carried out?
- Have the water pump, the flywheel or the tailgate harness already been replaced?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0
Volkswagen Golf
VII · 2012–2020
- Price
- €7,200 – €18,800
- Reliability
- 3/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid, Electric
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Peugeot 308
II · 2013–2021
- Price
- €6,500 – €13,000
- Reliability
- 2/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: Herranderssvensson, CC BY-SA 3.0
Renault Mégane
IV · 2016–2023
- Price
- €9,500 – €23,900
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Opel Astra
K · 2015–2021
- Price
- €7,000 – €12,000
- Reliability
- 3/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the Alfa Romeo Giulietta III (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Alfa Romeo Giulietta reliable?
Caradisiac rates it rather poorly: few immobilising breakdowns but many irritating faults (coolant leaks, shock absorber wear, door seals). Consistent servicing is decisive.
How big is the Giulietta's boot?
350 litres, and 1,045 litres with the rear seat folded down (Caroom).
What Euro NCAP rating did the Giulietta get?
5 stars in 2010 (Euro NCAP), with 97% for adult occupant protection. This result dates from 2010, and the criteria have changed since then.
Found a listing?
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