Fiat 500C: what fails at MOT
21,000 MOT tests on the Fiat 500C in 2024, counted. 31.6% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
31.7% of Fiat 500C tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 28.4%, so the 500C does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on suspension (11% of tests), lights and electrics (7.1% of tests) and tyres (4.4% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 745 | 18.4% | 15.6% | 29,700 20,400 to 39,500 |
| 2017 | 1,880 | 20.5% | 18.2% | 34,000 22,100 to 45,100 |
| 2016 | 2,776 | 24.6% | 21.3% | 41,000 29,000 to 54,400 |
| 2015 | 3,109 | 32.4% | 24.4% | 46,900 34,300 to 60,700 |
| 2014 | 2,831 | 32.4% | 27.7% | 51,000 38,400 to 65,000 |
| 2013 | 2,443 | 32.2% | 30.6% | 56,600 42,100 to 71,700 |
| 2012 | 2,599 | 36.5% | 33.4% | 61,000 46,200 to 76,600 |
| 2011 | 1,593 | 36.0% | 36.1% | 67,200 49,800 to 83,700 |
| 2010 | 1,925 | 39.7% | 38.6% | 72,500 54,300 to 91,600 |
| 2009 | 1,059 | 41.3% | 39.8% | 76,500 53,600 to 97,600 |
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 500C tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | 500C | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension More than most | 11.0% | 6.6% |
| Lights and electrics | 7.1% | 7.7% |
| Tyres | 4.4% | 4.6% |
| Brakes | 4.2% | 4.6% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 2.9% | 3.0% |
| Body and structure | 2.4% | 2.1% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.8% | 2.1% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.3% | 0.5% |
The parts that fail most
- Shock absorbers5.8%
- Suspension pins and bushes4.0%
- Tyre3.2%
- Headlamp aim1.9%
- Headlamp1.7%
- Ball joint1.6%
- Washers1.5%
- Brake test1.5%
- Brake light1.4%
- Tyre tread1.4%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.8%
- Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak3.8%
- Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush2.3%
- Ball joint: excessively worn1.5%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.3%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.3%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.2%
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements1.2%
- Brake light: not working1.2%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.1%
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 edge12.3%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing8.0%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil7.7%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened7.4%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement6.9%
- Coil spring: corroded5.4%
- Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases4.4%
- Shock absorbers: has a slightly worn bush4.1%
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?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Fiat 500C's own MOT record
Looking at a 500C? 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.