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Fiat 500 Common Problems, Faults & Repair Costs (2026)

Based on official DVSA MOT test data. View the most common MOT failure categories, pass rates, and estimated repair costs for the Fiat 500 (2007–present).

MOT Pass Rate

77.5%4.5% below national avg (82%)

Reliability rating: Good — based on approx. 72,000 tests

Dangerous Defects

1.90%

Moderate risk

Retest Rate

15.0%

of failed tests need a retest

Top MOT Failure Categories

1

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

Est. repair: £40–£200

17.5%
2

Suspension

Est. repair: £120–£450

14.0%
3

Brakes

Est. repair: £100–£350

12.5%
4

Tyres

Est. repair: £50–£120 per tyre

11.0%
5

Exhaust, fuel and emissions

Est. repair: £40–£200

8.8%

Where Faults Occur

32.0%

Front

28.0%

Rear

19.0%

Offside

Mileage Benchmarks

At 3 years

16,000 mi

At 5 years

28,000 mi

At 10 years

52,000 mi

Significantly higher or lower mileage than these benchmarks may indicate unusual usage patterns. Check the full MOT history for mileage consistency.

Is a Fiat 500 a Good Buy?

The Fiat 500 shows average reliability in MOT data. With a 77.5% pass rate, it sits 4.5% below the national average of 82%.

Budget for potential repairs in lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment and suspension. An independent pre-purchase inspection is recommended, especially for older examples. Always check the full MOT history for recurring issues.

Fiat 500 MOT Check & History

View detailed MOT pass rates by year, mileage benchmarks, and full test history data for the Fiat 500.

View Fiat 500 MOT Data

Check a Specific Fiat 500

Enter a registration number to view the full MOT history for any Fiat 500.

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Other Fiat Models

Fiat Punto

72.8%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Fiat Panda

76.5%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Fiat 500X

79.8%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Fiat Tipo

78.2%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Fiat 500e

89.8%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Fiat Doblo

73.5%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

View all Fiat models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common MOT faults on a Fiat 500?
The top MOT failure on the Fiat 500 is Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, accounting for approximately 17.5% of all failures. Other common issues include suspension and brakes.
What is the Fiat 500 MOT pass rate?
The Fiat 500 has an estimated MOT pass rate of 77.5%, which is 4.5% below the national average of 82%. This rates the Fiat 500 as "Good" for MOT reliability.
Is the Fiat 500 reliable?
Based on DVSA MOT data, the Fiat 500 has a good reliability record with a 77.5% pass rate. It has a dangerous defect rate of 1.90% and a retest rate of 15.0%.
How much does it cost to fix common Fiat 500 MOT failures?
Typical repair costs for Fiat 500 MOT failures range from £30–£200 for lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues to £120–£450 for suspension problems. Prices are estimates based on typical UK independent garage rates.
What mileage should a Fiat 500 have?
Based on MOT test data, the average Fiat 500 covers approximately 16,000 mi by 3 years, 28,000 mi by 5 years, and 52,000 mi by 10 years. Significantly higher or lower mileage may warrant closer inspection.
Should I buy a used Fiat 500?
The Fiat 500 is generally a solid choice based on MOT data. Check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before purchasing, paying particular attention to lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues and mileage consistency.
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