2009 · 15 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2009 Fiat 500C MOT pass rate and common faults

735 MOT tests in 2024. 54.3% passed first time, compared with 58.4% for all cars the same age.

93Below average
Passed first time54.3%
Failed or needed repairs45.7%
Typical mileage at test76,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 735 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements8.6%
  2. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak6.0%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.4%
  4. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.5%
  5. Position lamp: not working3.4%
  6. Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side3.0%
  7. Service brake imbalance: across an axle3.0%
  8. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases2.6%
  9. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps2.6%
  10. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.4%
    28 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension29.8%
  2. Brakes28.4%
  3. Lights & electrics25.6%
  4. Tyres8.4%
  5. Body & chassis6.8%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.4%
  7. Emissions & leaks5.4%
  8. Seat belts & airbags0.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened15.6%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm15.6%
  3. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases13.1%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened11.8%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure11.6%

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: rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

All 500C years2010 500C →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2009 Fiat 500C?

In 2024, 54.3% of 2009 Fiat 500C cars passed their MOT first time, across 735 tests. The average for all 15-year-old cars was 58.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2009 Fiat 500C?

The most common failure reasons were rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2009 Fiat 500C reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 93, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).