Fiat 500L: what fails at MOT
21,000 MOT tests on the Fiat 500L in 2024, counted. 35.5% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
35.8% of Fiat 500L tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 26.2%, so the 500L does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on suspension (9.5% of tests), lights and electrics (8.3% of tests) and brakes (5.9% of tests). It fails on suspension, brakes and steering 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 | 768 | 27.1% | 15.6% | 34,800 24,100 to 45,900 |
| 2017 | 1,073 | 32.8% | 18.2% | 44,000 31,700 to 59,800 |
| 2016 | 1,925 | 32.5% | 21.3% | 50,000 36,300 to 66,300 |
| 2015 | 3,527 | 34.8% | 24.4% | 59,100 45,000 to 75,800 |
| 2014 | 8,064 | 37.0% | 27.7% | 73,400 56,800 to 90,700 |
| 2013 | 4,834 | 37.9% | 30.6% | 76,100 59,400 to 92,900 |
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 500L tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | 500L | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension More than most | 9.5% | 5.6% |
| Lights and electrics | 8.3% | 6.6% |
| Brakes More than most | 5.9% | 4.1% |
| Tyres | 5.1% | 4.5% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 3.4% | 2.8% |
| Steering More than most | 3.0% | 1.3% |
| Exhaust and emissions More than most | 2.7% | 1.8% |
| Body and structure | 1.9% | 1.7% |
The parts that fail most
- Coil spring4.4%
- Suspension pins and bushes4.0%
- Tyre3.9%
- Brake light2.9%
- Track rod end2.8%
- Headlamp aim2.6%
- Brake test2.4%
- Brake pads2.3%
- Headlamp1.9%
- Tyre tread1.7%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Coil spring: fractured or broken4.3%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.6%
- Brake light: not working2.8%
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements2.3%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.1%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.7%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.6%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.6%
- Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.5%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.5%
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 edge13.7%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened8.9%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing8.5%
- Brake pads: wearing thin5.9%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement4.5%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive3.5%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively3.2%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt2.6%
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?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Is there any play, knocking or stiffness in the steering?”
- “Has it ever failed on emissions or an exhaust leak, and what was done about it?”
Check a Fiat 500L's own MOT record
Looking at a 500L? 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.