Ask any owner why they drive an Alfa Romeo and they will tell you that few manufacturers even come close to building cars with such brio and zest.  

The engineering has always been performance orientated, and every model they have produced through the years has afforded the driver with a rewarding experience that is a cut above the opposition.  

The 156 was no exception with handling more akin to a two door sports car than a four door saloon. The interior was a major step forward too, with new fabrics and plenty of Italian style.

This example has low miles, one owner for the past 17 years and a nice continuous history of servicing and care.

What strikes you upon opening the driver’s door is how well preserved the interior is.  

The colour combination of Sand alcantara seat material and dark grey dash with aluminium trim is very attractive. The condition of all the seats is excellent and this has to be thanks to the hardwearing nature of alcantara which is a type of synthetic suede.  

Always cool to the touch and with so much more grip than leather it is the ideal seat material for those who enjoy spirited driving through the twisty bits without sliding around on the seat. Both front and rear seats are in great condition with no wear and no marks, even on the seat backs. You’d be forgiven for thinking they had been recently replaced! 

There are matching panels on the doors that have barely a mark, except an area on the driver’s door that could clean off. The sand coloured carpets are impressively clean and protected by Alfa 156 grey mats. The roof lining is clean an unmarked so the overall impression is of a light and airy interior.

The steering wheel is clean with no damage, just a small amount of wear to the spoke mounted buttons. The gauges are white with black lettering, and all appear to function correctly. On the centre console is climate and audio controls with an LCD display. It appears that this has some display issues as the lettering/numbers do not fully appear correctly but it still works.

In the boot the grey carpets are stain free, and there are no major marks on the sill. There is an area of boot lining material that has come adrift inside and is hanging down but that would be an easy fix.

The Alfa is finished in an attractive shade of green called Verde Brookland Metallic which was not a common choice on the 156 but suits the car well. 

The finish remains in good condition with the wear you would expect on a 17 year old car. There are a few small chips here and there, and one slightly larger chip on the top of the bonnet. 

There are a couple of small dings on the driver’s door below the window and it appears that one of the front fog lights has lost part of its plastic trim surround, probably due to a stone. There is also a jacking point cover missing from the passenger side sill.

The wheels are 16 inch multi-spoke Alfa Romeo alloys with Pirelli P7s on the front axle and Hankook Ventus tyres on the rear, all with plenty of miles left on them. The wheels are in good condition with only minor curbing on both front rims.

The rear window still sports the original supplying Dealer sticker – Thames Motor Group in Tunbridge Wells, as do both front and rear number plates. At the front the Alfa badge is looking a little worse for wear, but it should be easy to source a replacement. 

We would say in general the exterior is good as it is but there is room for improvement with little effort.

Although there are not many invoices on file there is a well stamped service book that shows the Alfa has had plenty of Main Dealer care.  

Starting in 2005 it received annual services to 2016 and further services in 2018 and in 2019. In April 2021 it went to Station Garage in Southampton for its annual MoT and work to the suspension with a replacement suspension arm, replacement ignition coil packs and work to the handbrake system. The invoice totalled £754. 

Having covered only 50,000 miles from new and being in the care of a fastidious owner has kept the Alfa in surprisingly good condition. 

It is reported to drive very nicely having lost none of its sharp response and handling over the years.

For a car that was launched 30 years ago it is quite surprising that you don’t see that many 156s on the road. 

This could be that many did not receive the regular oil and belt changes that these car need to stay trouble free. Luckily, this one has! 

With few miles, a single owner for seventeen years and lots of care this one is worthy of consideration.