Fiat 500X: what fails at MOT
49,000 MOT tests on the Fiat 500X in 2024, counted. 23.1% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
23.1% of Fiat 500X tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 19.1%, so the 500X does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (5.6% of tests), tyres (4.7% of tests) and steering (3.8% of tests). It fails on lights and electrics, steering and exhaust and emissions 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 | 2,576 | 9.9% | 10.9% | 20,900 14,100 to 31,000 |
| 2020 | 3,189 | 10.8% | 11.5% | 25,400 17,700 to 34,000 |
| 2019 | 4,799 | 12.0% | 13.4% | 32,300 23,500 to 41,800 |
| 2018 | 3,893 | 16.4% | 15.6% | 37,900 28,000 to 49,000 |
| 2017 | 6,150 | 24.0% | 18.2% | 48,600 36,400 to 61,100 |
| 2016 | 18,002 | 27.5% | 21.3% | 56,100 44,000 to 69,900 |
| 2015 | 9,940 | 30.0% | 24.4% | 62,800 50,000 to 76,900 |
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 500X tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | 500X | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics More than most | 5.6% | 3.9% |
| Tyres | 4.7% | 3.9% |
| Steering More than most | 3.8% | 0.6% |
| Suspension | 2.8% | 3.0% |
| Exhaust and emissions More than most | 2.1% | 1.2% |
| Brakes Less than most | 1.9% | 2.7% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 1.9% | 2.2% |
| Body and structure | 0.7% | 0.9% |
The parts that fail most
- Side light3.7%
- Track rod end3.7%
- Tyre2.8%
- Tyre tread1.9%
- Engine warning light1.5%
- Washers1.5%
- Headlamp aim1.0%
- Linkage ball joints1.0%
- Brake pads0.9%
- Brake discs0.7%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Side light: not working3.6%
- Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.5%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.8%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.5%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.1%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.0%
- Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn0.9%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed0.9%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.8%
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play0.8%
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 edge13.0%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing9.1%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened7.9%
- Brake pads: wearing thin4.3%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement3.3%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt3.1%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively2.7%
- Nail in tyre1.7%
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
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “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?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
Check a Fiat 500X's own MOT record
Looking at a 500X? 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.