Compare Alfa Romeo 147 alternator repair quotes from specialist garages

Alfa Romeo is a quintessentially Italian carmaker known for the style and elegance of its sporty vehicles. In a 2008 episode of Top Gear, Hammond, Clarkson and May set out to prove that you can't be a proper petrolhead until you've owned an Alfa. The brand's iconic status also stretches beyond the small screen, with its cars appearing in a slew of blockbusters, including The Godfather, The Graduate, Octopussy and The Talented Mr Ripley.

At the 2022 Autocar Awards, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio was named a future classic, earning praise for being "sublime to drive and beautiful to look at" - a statement that perfectly captures the spirit of the brand.

The alternator plays a simple but crucial role in keeping your car's battery charged, which means it is also indirectly responsible for starting the vehicle and keeping various components running. It is like a small generator; the engine spins, and the alternator turns this movement into electricity.

Here are five signs your alternator is faulty.

Common reasons for car alternator repair include a failing voltage regulator (which ensures the battery receives the charge at the correct voltage) and worn brushes (which maintain electrical contact with the alternator). An alternator specialist can advise you on the cause of the problem and how best to fix it.

Rather than repairing the component, a total car alternator replacement may be required, which is a straightforward job that most mechanics can do. However, when considering an alternator repair vs replacement, the latter only occurs when multiple parts fail, and the repair cost would be close to that of fitting a new component.

Find out how much it costs to replace an alternator in this guide.