2017 · 7 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2017 Fiat 500 MOT pass rate and common faults

22,644 MOT tests in 2024. 76.0% passed first time, compared with 79.8% for all cars the same age.

95Below average
Passed first time76.0%
Failed or needed repairs24.0%
Typical mileage at test37,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 22,644 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn5.4%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.7%
    536 marked dangerous
  3. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.6%
    498 marked dangerous
  4. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.6%
  5. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.6%
  6. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.2%
  7. Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush1.1%
  8. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.0%
  9. Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn1.0%
  10. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.0%
    275 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension11.1%
  2. Tyres7.2%
  3. Lights & electrics5.4%
  4. Brakes5.3%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.3%
  6. Emissions & leaks1.7%
  7. Body & chassis1.1%
  8. Steering0.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm15.7%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure15.3%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened13.6%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn8.1%
  5. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak6.0%

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 2017 Fiat 500?

In 2024, 76.0% of 2017 Fiat 500 cars passed their MOT first time, across 22,644 tests. The average for all 7-year-old cars was 79.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2017 Fiat 500?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2017 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).