Photo: M 93, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Corvettec6r, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Charles from Port Chester, New York, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
Sporty city car rated 5 stars by Euro NCAP in 2008, with a 270 L boot. The documented points to watch are EGR valve and particulate filter clogging on diesels, the oil sensitivity of the MultiAir module on the 1.4, and a driver airbag recall for cars built between 2010 and 2015: check the VIN and the service history.
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Indicative prices
- €4,500 – €9,400
- Monthly cost
- €285
- Euro NCAP
- 5/5
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: 1.6 JTDm 120, 1.4 MultiAir 135.
1.3 JTDm 95
Diesel · Manual · 95 hp · Crit'Air 3
1.3 diesel, 95 hp (an 85 hp version also exists). Particulate filter and EGR valve to be watched on short journeys.
1.6 JTDm 120
✓ RecommendedDiesel · Manual · 120 hp · Crit'Air 3
1.6 diesel, 120 hp and 320 Nm, 6-speed manual gearbox.
1.4 MultiAir 135
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Manual · 135 hp · Crit'Air 2
1.4 turbo MultiAir petrol, 135 hp and 180 Nm. Insist on rigorous servicing with the recommended oil.
1.4 MultiAir 170 TCT
Petrol · Automatic · 170 hp · Crit'Air 2
1.4 turbo MultiAir petrol, 170 hp, with TCT dual-clutch robotised gearbox. Testers recommend the 6-speed manual gearbox instead.
1.4 Turbo 120 GPL
Petrol · Manual · 120 hp · Crit'Air 2
1.4 turbo petrol/LPG bi-fuel, 120 hp, sold in 2018-2019 (Edizione trim). Boot reduced to 247 L by the LPG tank.
Market prices
€4,500 – €9,400
Indicative range: 2008 to 2018, yearly medians of 207 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
MultiAir module sensitive to oil
Severity 2/3 · CostlyThe MultiAir electro-hydraulic unit can seize if the oil is degraded or oil changes are spaced out: difficult cold starts, loss of power, misfires. On MultiAir petrol engines built before November 2012, an Australian report also flags a piston that can come away from its aluminium housing, causing loss of compression in one cylinder.
- Versions
- 1.4 MultiAir 135, 1.4 MultiAir 170 TCT
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Clogged EGR valve and particulate filter (diesel)
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingThe 1.3 and 1.6 JTDm are prone to particulate filter clogging on cars used mainly for short journeys, and to EGR valve clogging: loss of performance, irregular running, limp mode. One owner of a 1.3 JTD 95 hp reports an EGR valve replaced at 35,000 km (isolated case). Replacing the EGR valve costs €129 to €358 depending on the garage.
- Versions
- 1.3 JTDm 95, 1.6 JTDm 120
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- €129 to €358
Recall: driver airbag second stage
Manufacturer recallA recall concerns MiTos built between September 2010 and December 2015: in an accident, the second inflation stage of the driver airbag may not deploy correctly. Whether a car is affected depends on its serial number: have the VIN checked by an Alfa Romeo dealer.
Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).
- Versions
- 1.3 JTDm 95, 1.6 JTDm 120, 1.4 MultiAir 135, 1.4 MultiAir 170 TCT, 1.4 Turbo 120 GPL
- 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 MiTo”). 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 | €138 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €68 |
| Maintenance | €24 |
| Depreciation | €55 |
| Total per month | €285 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- NEDC consumption (older, more optimistic than WLTP) as no WLTP figure is published: fuel is probably slightly underestimated.
- 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 (petrol)€138
1.4 MultiAir 135 version: combined consumption of 5.6 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
5.6 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €138
Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.
- Insurance€68
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€55
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Alfa Romeo MiTo I — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Have the VIN checked by an Alfa Romeo dealer: driver airbag recall for cars from 2010-2015.
- On a diesel, ask about previous use (short or long journeys) and check there is no engine warning light, no limp mode and no particulate filter or EGR fault.
- On the 1.4 MultiAir, ask for oil change invoices at regular intervals, with the recommended oil.
- On the TCT version, test the gearbox both cold and warm: gear changes, and no fault on the dashboard.
- On the LPG version, check the bi-fuel operation and the tank checks.
Questions to ask the seller
- Has the serial number been checked for the airbag recall, and has the recall been carried out?
- Which oil changes have been done, at what intervals, and with which oil?
- For a diesel: what type of journeys (short or long), and have the EGR valve or the particulate filter already been dealt with?
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: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Peugeot 208
I · 2012–2019
- Price
- €3,500 – €8,200
- Reliability
- 3/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: Overlaet, CC BY-SA 3.0
Renault Clio
IV · 2012–2019
- Price
- €6,900 – €10,800
- Reliability
- 3/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: Wikisympathisant, CC BY-SA 4.0
Mini Hatch
III (F55/F56, 2014-2024) · 2014–2024
- Price
- €9,500 – €26,000
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Electric
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Volkswagen Polo
VI · since 2017
- Price
- €10,000 – €20,300
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- 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 MiTo I (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
What is the Euro NCAP rating of the Alfa Romeo MiTo?
5 stars in 2008 (36 points out of 37 for adult protection), according to press reports of the Euro NCAP results.
Which engine should I choose on a used MiTo?
None is free of points to watch: EGR and particulate filter on diesels, MultiAir module on the 1.4. Favour a car with a complete, invoiced service history; for the 1.4 170 hp, the heycar test recommends the 6-speed manual gearbox.
How much does an EGR valve replacement cost?
Between €129 and €358 on a MiTo according to Mecazen, with the 1.3 MultiJet 95 hp at the lower end of the range.
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