2012 · 12 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2012 Fiat 500 MOT pass rate and common faults

26,543 MOT tests in 2024. 61.0% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

95Below average
Passed first time61.0%
Failed or needed repairs39.0%
Typical mileage at test66,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 26,543 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn6.0%
  2. Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush5.0%
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.3%
  4. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak3.1%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.6%
    997 marked dangerous
  6. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases2.1%
  7. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.1%
    729 marked dangerous
  8. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.1%
    658 marked dangerous
  9. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.0%
  10. Position lamp: not working1.9%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Suspension24.4%
  2. Lights & electrics18.0%
  3. Brakes11.0%
  4. Tyres8.0%
  5. Body & chassis5.8%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.7%
  7. Emissions & leaks4.9%
  8. Steering1.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm18.8%
  2. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened13.3%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure12.1%
  4. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases10.1%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened9.2%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 Fiat 500?

In 2024, 61.0% of 2012 Fiat 500 cars passed their MOT first time, across 26,543 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 Fiat 500?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush; suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2012 Fiat 500 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 95, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).