Fiat 500: what fails at MOT
465,000 MOT tests on the Fiat 500 in 2024, counted. 30.4% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
30.3% of Fiat 500 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 26.1%, so the 500 does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on suspension (9.7% of tests), lights and electrics (7% of tests) and brakes (4.8% of tests). It fails on suspension more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 15,751 | 10.4% | 10.9% | 16,700 11,000 to 25,300 |
| 2020 | 18,432 | 11.5% | 11.5% | 19,900 12,900 to 29,600 |
| 2019 | 30,029 | 14.9% | 13.4% | 24,700 17,000 to 34,200 |
| 2018 | 34,313 | 19.3% | 15.6% | 30,900 21,900 to 41,900 |
| 2017 | 32,208 | 23.1% | 18.2% | 37,600 27,000 to 49,600 |
| 2016 | 43,859 | 28.0% | 21.3% | 42,500 31,000 to 55,500 |
| 2015 | 52,076 | 32.6% | 24.4% | 49,000 36,400 to 63,200 |
| 2014 | 54,887 | 33.9% | 27.7% | 55,700 42,500 to 70,400 |
| 2013 | 47,158 | 34.3% | 30.6% | 60,600 46,200 to 76,200 |
| 2012 | 37,417 | 37.1% | 33.4% | 66,500 51,500 to 81,800 |
| 2011 | 26,275 | 39.2% | 36.1% | 71,300 55,000 to 88,400 |
| 2010 | 28,642 | 41.0% | 38.6% | 76,100 57,800 to 94,400 |
| 2009 | 27,386 | 43.2% | 39.8% | 81,600 62,700 to 100,000 |
| 2008 | 15,951 | 42.9% | 41.5% | 85,900 67,200 to 105,000 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Fiat 500 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | 500 | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension More than most | 9.7% | 5.7% |
| Lights and electrics | 7.0% | 6.9% |
| Brakes | 4.8% | 4.2% |
| Tyres | 4.6% | 4.3% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 3.2% | 2.9% |
| Body and structure | 2.3% | 1.9% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.0% | 1.9% |
| Steering Less than most | 0.4% | 1.2% |
The parts that fail most
- Suspension pins and bushes4.0%
- Shock absorbers3.8%
- Tyre3.1%
- Headlamp aim2.4%
- Washers1.8%
- Ball joint1.7%
- Headlamp1.7%
- Brake test1.6%
- Tyre tread1.6%
- Wipers1.4%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.7%
- Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush2.1%
- Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.7%
- Ball joint: excessively worn1.7%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.5%
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements1.4%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.4%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.3%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.3%
- Side light: not working1.1%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge13.1%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing8.0%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened6.8%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement6.3%
- Coil spring: corroded5.5%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil4.9%
- Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases4.7%
- Brake pads: wearing thin3.4%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
Check a Fiat 500's own MOT record
Looking at a 500? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.