2018 · 6 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2018 Fiat 500 MOT pass rate and common faults

23,589 MOT tests in 2024. 79.9% passed first time, compared with 82.5% for all cars the same age.

97Below average
Passed first time79.9%
Failed or needed repairs20.1%
Typical mileage at test31,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 23,589 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.1%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.9%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.5%
    517 marked dangerous
  4. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.2%
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.2%
    401 marked dangerous
  6. Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn1.0%
  7. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements0.9%
  8. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.9%
    402 marked dangerous
  9. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.9%

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres6.5%
  2. Suspension6.0%
  3. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.4%
  4. Brakes4.8%
  5. Lights & electrics4.8%
  6. Emissions & leaks1.0%
  7. Body & chassis0.9%
  8. Number plates & VIN0.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm15.4%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure14.9%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened13.0%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick5.7%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn5.7%

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: wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively. 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 2018 Fiat 500?

In 2024, 79.9% of 2018 Fiat 500 cars passed their MOT first time, across 23,589 tests. The average for all 6-year-old cars was 82.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2018 Fiat 500?

The most common failure reasons were wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2018 Fiat 500 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 97, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).