Faults and service for this model with this engine

Alfa Romeo MiTo 1.4 8v & 16v FIRE

Petrol · 2008–2018

known faults

35.8 %

Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.

All about the Alfa Romeo MiTo All about the 1.1 / 1.2 / 1.4 8v & 16v FIRE engine

The 1.4 8v & 16v FIRE engine was fitted to the Alfa Romeo MiTo (2008–2018). In the EU that is 35.8 % of all new cars of this generation.

Versions: 1.4, 1.4 77 hp, 1.4 105 hp, 1.4 69 hp.

The most expensive known risk is head gasket failure after overheating: it usually appears at 100,000–220,000 km and costs €400–900 to fix.

Engine faults ✓ Checked against sources (10/2026)

✓ The faults of this engine were checked against sources (10/2026). Each item has at least two independent sources or an official recall or parts-maker technical note.

Ignition coil pack or HT leads fail (misfire)

usually 60,000–180,000 km · Wear part

Signs: Misfire, rough idle, flashing engine light, P030x codes, sometimes visible sparking at the leads in the dark or wet

Fix: Check plugs, leads and the coil pack; replace the leads as a set with good-quality parts and the coil pack if it is cracked or weak

€50–200

Unstable idle or stalling: dirty throttle body, idle valve or MAP sensor

usually 60,000–200,000 km · Wear part

Signs: Hunting or pulsing idle, stalling when coming to a stop, sometimes worse in damp weather; throttle position fault codes on electronic throttles

Fix: Clean the throttle body, the idle control valve (cable-throttle 1.1 and early 1.2) and the MAP sensor, check the breather hoses, then run the throttle adaptation; replace the throttle body if the position sensor is faulty

€50–350

Crankshaft position sensor failure (cuts out, no start, P0335)

usually 60,000–200,000 km · Medium risk

Signs: Engine cuts out while driving or will not start, often when hot, then restarts after cooling; code P0335

Fix: Read the fault memory, check the sensor plug and wiring, and replace the sensor with a quality part

€50–150

Thermostat leaks past its seal (slow warm-up, P0115 / P0128)

usually 60,000–180,000 km · Wear part

Signs: Temperature gauge stays low, weak heater, fans start early, engine light with coolant temperature codes

Fix: Replace the thermostat (check which of the two types the engine has), refill and bleed the cooling system, and renew old coolant

€60–200

Water pump leaks before the timing belt is due

usually 80,000–160,000 km · Medium risk

Signs: Coolant loss, coolant traces or crust at the pump behind the timing cover, noise from the pump bearing

Fix: Replace the pump together with the timing belt kit; use only a thin bead of sealant on the pump

€200–450

Head gasket failure after overheating

usually 100,000–220,000 km · Medium risk

Signs: Coolant loss without a visible leak, white smoke, mayonnaise under the oil cap, overheating, bubbles in the expansion tank

Fix: Pressure and CO test of the cooling system; replace the head gasket, have the head checked for flatness, and fix the cause (thermostat, pump, fan, leaks)

€400–900

Oil seepage: cam cover gasket and crankshaft seals

usually 80,000–250,000 km · Wear part

Signs: Oily engine, oil drops under the car, oil smell; oil can reach the coil pack area on top of the engine

Fix: Find the leak and replace the cam cover gasket or the leaking crankshaft seal; a rear crankshaft seal needs the gearbox removed

€50–450

Gearboxes

Manual

Clutch wear

usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk

Signs: Slipping, high bite point

Fix: Replace clutch kit

€500–900

DCT / TCT (C635, dry clutch)

TCT / DCT actuator & clutch

usually 60,000–160,000 km · Medium risk

Signs: Jerky shifts, gearbox warning

Fix: Actuator / clutch replacement

€800–2,200

Service plan for this engine

Typical routine maintenance cost for 100,000 km: €2,650–5,850. Sum of the services and wear parts in the plan above (about 15,000 km a year, independent workshop), without faults.

Intervals and typical prices for the Alfa Romeo MiTo with the 1.4 8v & 16v FIRE engine. The app gives the exact plan for your mileage.

Item	Interval	Typical price
Engine oil + oil filterEngine	every 15,000 km or every 12 months	€70–150
Cabin (pollen) filterClimate	every 15,000 km or every 12 months	€15–40
Brake fluidBrakes	every 24 months	€50–95
A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate	every 24 months	€70–150
Air filterEngine	every 30,000 km or every 24 months	€15–45
Spark plugsIgnition	every 60,000 km or every 48 months	€50–160
Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine	every 120,000 km	€70–180
Timing belt kit + water pumpEngine	every 120,000 km or every 60 months	€450–900
Coolant replacementCooling	every 150,000 km or every 96 months	€70–150
Manual gearbox oilTransmission	every 150,000 km	€60–130
Front brake padsBrakes	usually at 30,000–60,000 km	€60–150
Front brake discs + padsBrakes	usually at 60,000–120,000 km	€150–320
Rear brake padsBrakes	usually at 50,000–90,000 km	€50–130
Tyres (set of 4)Wheels	usually at 40,000–60,000 km	€320–700
Wiper bladesBody	checked at service	€20–50
12V batteryElectrical	checked at service	€100–220

Versions of this engine in the Alfa Romeo MiTo

Version	Share	Years	CO₂	Fuel use
1.4 Petrol1,368 cm³	15.5 %	2010–2018	127 g/km	—
1.4 Petrol1,368 cm³ · 57 kW (77 hp)	13.7 %	2011–2018	130 g/km	—
1.4 Petrol1,368 cm³ · 77 kW (105 hp)	6.1 %	2011–2016	—	—
1.4 Petrol1,368 cm³ · 51 kW (69 hp)	5.4 %	2011–2017	134 g/km	—

Source: European Environment Agency (EEA), monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars, CC BY 4.0. CO₂ and fuel use are official type-approval values (WLTP from 2021), not real-world consumption.

Official recalls

Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (2). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.

Seat belt Front seat belt pretensioner could malfunction during deployment30/11/2017 · R/2017/268
Brakes / ABS / ESP Braking efficiency may be reduced07/12/2012 · R/2012/141

Common questions

What are the biggest risks of the Alfa Romeo MiTo with the 1.4 8v & 16v FIRE engine?

The faults with the highest risk: head gasket failure after overheating (100,000–220,000 km, €400–900); water pump leaks before the timing belt is due (80,000–160,000 km, €200–450); crankshaft position sensor failure (cuts out, no start, P0335) (60,000–200,000 km, €50–150).

Does the Alfa Romeo MiTo 1.4 8v & 16v FIRE have a timing belt or a chain?

Belt · 120,000 km / every 60 mo.

Which oil does the Alfa Romeo MiTo 1.4 8v & 16v FIRE need?

5W-40 · Fiat 9.55535-S2 / ACEA A3 · ~2.8 L · every 15,000 km.

The same model with other engines

1.2 MultiJet / CDTI / DDiS / TDCi 1.4 T-Jet / MultiAir (turbo)1.6 / 2.0 MultiJet II (JTDm / DDiS)0.9 TwinAir

Other models with the 1.1 / 1.2 / 1.4 8v & 16v FIRE engine

Fiat 500 2007–Fiat Grande Punto / Punto 2005–2018 Ford Ka II 2008–2016 Fiat Panda II 2003–2012 Fiat Panda III 2012–Fiat Doblò II 2010–2022 Fiat 500L 2012–2022 Fiat Tipo 2015–Fiat Bravo II 2007–2014 Fiat Fiorino / Qubo 2008–Lancia Musa 2004–2012 Lancia Ypsilon (846) 2011–2024

Sources and notes

Main sources for the faults of this engine:

Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles. How we check the data →

Updated 29/10/2026

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