Alfa Romeo 164 Buying Guide

An Alfa Romeo 164 should be judged by the engine it carries, since the Twin Spark four-cylinder and the V6 bring different running costs. Confirm the offered Alfa Romeo 164 matches its paperwork, then book an inspection that covers its construction and fitted equipment.

I used RAC used Alfa Romeo 164 1988-1997 review when preparing this November 7, 2026 guide. Those sources describe the model engineering and historical context, not every surviving chassis. So, the checks below turn that background into questions for a seller and a workshop; they do not assign a failure rate or current market value.

Confirm the 164 engine before anything else

An Alfa Romeo 164 should be judged by the engine it carries, since the Twin Spark four-cylinder and the V6 bring different running costs. Ask for the engine number and a service record that names it. RAC praises both engines for their sound and response but also notes torque steer that Alfa never fully cured. That trait is normal for the car; heavy pulling under light throttle or a knock from the front is not. Ask the inspector to look at the steering rack, joints and front suspension bushes.

Investigate V6 misfires and cooling leaks

V6 misfires under heavy acceleration, which RAC links to faulty engine management, are the first fault it lists. Ask the mechanic to road test the car under load and read any stored codes before the seller clears them. RAC also warns of cooling leaks at the water pump and lower radiator hose joint. Have those areas inspected cold and after a run, and ask when the timing belt and water pump were last changed. Our water-pump weep-hole guide explains what a seeping pump looks like.

Budget for tyres and clutch on V6 cars

Heavy front tyre wear and clutch wear on V6 models are both noted by RAC. Check the tread across each front tyre and ask the inspector whether uneven wear points to alignment or worn suspension. Our tire date-code guide helps you read the age of the tyres fitted. Ask when the clutch was last replaced and listen for slip on a firm uphill pull. Put any due work into the price, using written quotes from a shop that knows the car, not a generic online figure.

Test the gearbox, linkage and cabin gadgets

Weak third-gear synchromesh on some early V6 cars is another RAC warning, along with gear linkages that have broken and left cars stuck in gear. Change through every gear cold and warm, and ask the mechanic to inspect the linkage bushes. RAC also tells buyers to check the gadgets, particularly automatic climate control and electric seats. Work each one while parked, and ask the seller for a written list of anything that does not work so it is reflected in the deal.

Put the identity and import file beside the inspection

The physical chassis identifier must agree with the sale documents before a report is ordered. Use our VIN identity checks to organise that comparison and our imported-car report guide to understand why foreign history may be thin. Ask for original registration, import and ownership papers as applicable. NMVTIS offers a U.S. title-history route with defined coverage; it does not certify a bespoke build or replace foreign records. A fake PDF can disguise an ownership gap, so verify evidence through the issuing source rather than accepting a seller screenshot.

Agree the specialist work before leaving a deposit

Tell the shop which version and components it will see, then agree lift access, a controlled road test and a written description of limitations. Our pre-purchase inspection checklist helps frame the appointment, while NYC used-car guidance recommends an independent mechanic. Ask the specialist to separate immediate safety work from cosmetic preferences and optional upgrades. Look, a repair estimate is useful only if a supplier will actually provide the required part. Have the shop obtain a response for any known missing item.

Keep the offer conditional on the findings you care about. Put any seller repair promise in the purchase agreement. If the workshop cannot establish structural condition or a route to a needed safety part, defer the deal rather than inventing a discount. The final decision should reflect the documented car and your intended use, not a figure copied from a launch story.

We are a licensed CARFAX and AutoCheck reseller, not affiliated with CARFAX, AutoCheck or Experian. Wholesale reports cost a few dollars; confirm current coverage and the total at checkout. A quiet report can miss unreported repairs. Keep the independent inspection even if the seller sends an impressive PDF.

Sources

• RAC used Alfa Romeo 164 1988-1997 review
• U.S. DOJ NMVTIS
• NYC used-car buying guidance