Models · Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo Giulia 952 buying guide
The Giulia is Alfa's rear-wheel-drive compact executive saloon, on sale in the UK since late 2016 with 2.0 turbo petrol and 2.2 diesel engines. The Quadrifoglio and GTA versions are covered separately.
The versions
- 2.0 turbo petrol: about 200bhp, and about 280bhp in the Veloce from 2017; timing chain
- 2.2 JTDm diesel: about 150bhp or 180bhp, each raised by 10bhp in 2020; cambelt. Diesels were dropped in early 2022
- UK cars all have the ZF eight-speed automatic with paddles (a manual was sold only in continental Europe)
- 2020 update brought a new 8.8in touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and a much improved interior
What to check on a Giulia
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
Service and cambelt history
What to look for: Check the service history against the engine. Petrols are due every 12 months or 9,000 miles, diesels every 12 months or 12,000 miles. On a diesel, look for a cambelt change by 60,000 miles.
Why it matters: The 2.0 petrol has a timing chain and is sensitive to the correct oil and on-time servicing, which help prevent early chain and tensioner wear. The 2.2 diesel uses a cambelt, due at 60,000 miles. A fully stamped service history matters more than usual on these cars.
Electronic parking brake and rear brakes
What to look for: Apply and release the electronic parking brake a few times and check it works smoothly with no warning. Look through the rear wheels at the discs for a heavy lip or scoring.
Why it matters: Some cars have had a parking brake that sticks on, which can be released through a brake service mode on the infotainment screen, and failed parking brake motors have needed replacing. Premature rear disc and pad wear is also known on the Giulia, so a recent rear brake service is a plus.
Front suspension and steering rack
What to look for: Drive slowly over speed bumps and small sharp bumps and listen for clunks from the front. Ask whether the steering rack has ever been replaced, and look for the invoice. At full lock in a car park, a scrubbing noise from the front tyres is normal.
Why it matters: Some owners describe clunks from the front over small bumps, and bushes wear on very high-mileage cars. Water can get into the steering rack and corrode it, which means a replacement rack. The tyre scrub at full lock comes from the steering geometry and every Giulia does it.
Also in the full guide
- The 12V battery and warning lights
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the Giulia
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with Alfa Romeo.