Fiat 500 reliability: what 1m MOT tests show
Across 994,670 MOT tests on Fiat 500 cars first used between 2008 and 2022, 68.3% passed first time. The figure for all cars is 71.7%. Compared only with cars tested at the same age, the 500 is 3.7 points behind, so the model itself is below average, not just old. At its first MOT, at three years old, 88.9% of 500s pass; the national figure for three-year-old cars is 87.9%. The weakness shows with age rather than from new. The most common reason for a fail is a worn suspension bush.
The 500's weak points
Of every hundred 500s that fail, about 16 are marked down for a worn suspension bush and 7 for shock absorbers bush worn. Percentages can add to more than 100 because one failed test often records several defects.
Worn bushes and ball joints build up slowly. A vague or clunky front end before the test is worth a garage check, since suspension is where tests are lost.
Advisories to expect on a 500
An advisory is the tester telling you what fails next year. On the 500 the usual suspects are tyre tread below the legal minimum (17.2% of tests) and a damaged tyre sidewall (11.5%). Nationally, an advisory on lights becomes a failure 36.1% of the time.
Petrol, diesel or hybrid 500?
Among Fiat 500 cars, petrol versions pass 68.5% of the time and diesel versions 57.8%, a gap of 10.7 points. Diesels tend to be bought for high mileage, which shows up at the test as wear.
| Fuel | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 68.5% | 974,018 |
| Diesel | 57.8% | 18,432 |
Pass rate by year of first use
The oldest 500s on the road, from 2008, pass 54.8% of the time; the 2022 cars pass 90.6%. Read the table as an age curve first and a quality ranking second.
| First used | Pass rate | Tests | Miles a year | First MOT pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiat 500 2022 | 90.6% | 12,666 | 6,441 | 90.5% |
| Fiat 500 2021 | 88.2% | 25,211 | 6,245 | 88.8% |
| Fiat 500 2020 | 86.5% | 41,213 | 5,611 | 87.5% |
| Fiat 500 2019 | 84.1% | 62,956 | 5,252 | – |
| Fiat 500 2018 | 79.8% | 69,487 | 5,422 | – |
| Fiat 500 2017 | 76.1% | 66,852 | 5,581 | – |
| Fiat 500 2016 | 71.2% | 92,368 | 5,485 | – |
| Fiat 500 2015 | 66% | 109,058 | 5,571 | – |
| Fiat 500 2014 | 65% | 119,729 | 5,721 | – |
| Fiat 500 2013 | 63.9% | 103,375 | 5,694 | – |
| Fiat 500 2012 | 61.6% | 81,675 | 5,553 | – |
| Fiat 500 2011 | 59% | 60,137 | 5,459 | – |
| Fiat 500 2010 | 57.2% | 60,488 | 5,343 | – |
| Fiat 500 2009 | 54.8% | 57,339 | 5,362 | – |
| Fiat 500 2008 | 54.8% | 32,116 | 5,297 | – |
How mileage changes the 500's odds
On the 2014 cars, a 500 under 40,000 miles passes 76.2% of the time; one over 100,000 passes 53.8%. When comparing two used 500s, the odometer tells you more than the year.
| Mileage at test (2014 cars) | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 76.2% | 26,982 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 65.8% | 42,996 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 60% | 31,795 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 55.9% | 12,804 |
| Over 100,000 | 53.8% | 4,860 |
Fiat stablemates and rivals
Set against the rest of the Fiat range, which averages 67%, the 500 at 68.3% is above par. See the Fiat range at the MOT. Buyers weighing a 500 against other cars of similar popularity often compare it with the Mercedes-Benz A-Class (78.1%) and Nissan Juke (70%). The reliability index for all makes and models puts them side by side, and the UK pass rates by age and fuel give the baseline.
Failure lists and mileage by year
Each year opens to show its own failure list and pass rate by mileage.
Fiat 500 2022 90.6% pass 12,666 tests90.5% at first MOT
On a 2022 Fiat 500, a tyre worn or cut to the cords appears on 19.1% of failed tests, with a tyre worn or cut to the cords next at 10.5%.
2022 cars pass 91.1% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 75% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 91.1% | 12,051 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 80.4% | 583 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 84% | 25 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 33.3% | 3 |
| Over 100,000 | 75% | 4 |
Fiat 500 2021 88.2% pass 25,211 tests88.8% at first MOT
On a 2021 Fiat 500, a tyre worn or cut to the cords appears on 25.1% of failed tests, with wipers not clearing the screen next at 12%.
2021 cars pass 89.1% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 63.6% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 89.1% | 22,967 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 79.5% | 2,036 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 72.8% | 184 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 61.5% | 13 |
| Over 100,000 | 63.6% | 11 |
By fuel: petrol 88.2% (24,699 tests), hybrid 86.7% (502 tests).
Fiat 500 2020 86.5% pass 41,213 tests87.5% at first MOT
On a 2020 Fiat 500, a tyre worn or cut to the cords appears on 18.1% of failed tests, with wipers not clearing the screen next at 12.7%.
2020 cars pass 87.7% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 77.8% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 87.7% | 36,379 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 77.9% | 4,177 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 73.7% | 612 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 72.7% | 33 |
| Over 100,000 | 77.8% | 9 |
Fiat 500 2019 84.1% pass 62,956 tests
On a 2019 Fiat 500, a worn suspension bush appears on 12.1% of failed tests, with wipers not clearing the screen next at 9.1%.
2019 cars pass 86.1% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 54.7% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 86.1% | 53,324 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 74.3% | 8,085 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 67.8% | 1,293 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 57% | 186 |
| Over 100,000 | 54.7% | 53 |
Fiat 500 2018 79.8% pass 69,487 tests
On a 2018 Fiat 500, wipers not clearing the screen appears on 15.3% of failed tests, with a worn suspension bush next at 14.8%.
2018 cars pass 83.2% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 53.4% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 83.2% | 49,963 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 72.8% | 15,420 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 66.6% | 3,411 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 61% | 539 |
| Over 100,000 | 53.4% | 133 |
Fiat 500 2017 76.1% pass 66,852 tests
On a 2017 Fiat 500, a worn suspension bush appears on 21.7% of failed tests, with wipers not clearing the screen next at 10.9%.
2017 cars pass 80.7% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 62.6% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 80.7% | 38,044 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 72% | 20,604 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 66.1% | 6,507 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 58.1% | 1,346 |
| Over 100,000 | 62.6% | 340 |
Fiat 500 2016 71.2% pass 92,368 tests
On a 2016 Fiat 500, a worn suspension bush appears on 18% of failed tests, with shock absorbers bush worn next at 17.3%.
2016 cars pass 78% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 55.4% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 78% | 42,602 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 67.9% | 32,525 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 62% | 13,061 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 57.9% | 3,316 |
| Over 100,000 | 55.4% | 837 |
Fiat 500 2015 66% pass 109,058 tests
On a 2015 Fiat 500, a worn suspension bush appears on 21.4% of failed tests, with shock absorbers bush worn next at 13.1%.
2015 cars pass 75.3% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 52.7% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 75.3% | 36,807 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 64.6% | 40,494 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 58.6% | 22,179 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 54.2% | 7,104 |
| Over 100,000 | 52.7% | 2,151 |
Fiat 500 2014 65% pass 119,729 tests
On a 2014 Fiat 500, a worn suspension bush appears on 21.6% of failed tests, with shock absorbers bush worn next at 10.4%.
2014 cars pass 76.2% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 53.8% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 76.2% | 26,982 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 65.8% | 42,996 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 60% | 31,795 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 55.9% | 12,804 |
| Over 100,000 | 53.8% | 4,860 |
By fuel: petrol 65.2% (114,769 tests), diesel 61.4% (4,960 tests).
Fiat 500 2013 63.9% pass 103,375 tests
On a 2013 Fiat 500, a worn suspension bush appears on 19.7% of failed tests, with shock absorbers bush worn next at 9%.
2013 cars pass 76.7% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 54.6% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 76.7% | 16,920 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 66% | 32,998 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 60.1% | 31,373 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 57.2% | 15,440 |
| Over 100,000 | 54.6% | 6,554 |
By fuel: petrol 64.1% (98,131 tests), diesel 61.2% (5,241 tests).
Fiat 500 2012 61.6% pass 81,675 tests
On a 2012 Fiat 500, a worn suspension bush appears on 16.1% of failed tests, with shock absorbers bush worn next at 12.7%.
2012 cars pass 74.4% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 53.7% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 74.4% | 10,380 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 64.8% | 22,673 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 59% | 26,899 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 55.9% | 15,053 |
| Over 100,000 | 53.7% | 6,628 |
Fiat 500 2011 59% pass 60,137 tests
On a 2011 Fiat 500, a worn suspension bush appears on 13.2% of failed tests, with shock absorbers bush worn next at 10.9%.
2011 cars pass 72.3% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 52.8% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 72.3% | 6,756 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 61.9% | 13,979 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 57.4% | 18,881 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 55% | 12,979 |
| Over 100,000 | 52.8% | 7,496 |
Fiat 500 2010 57.2% pass 60,488 tests
On a 2010 Fiat 500, parking brake efficiency below the limit appears on 12.5% of failed tests, with a worn suspension bush next at 10.6%.
2010 cars pass 69.2% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 50.7% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 69.2% | 6,608 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 60.9% | 11,417 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 57.3% | 16,823 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 53.5% | 14,733 |
| Over 100,000 | 50.7% | 10,573 |
By fuel: petrol 57.3% (59,003 tests), diesel 51.3% (1,485 tests).
Fiat 500 2009 54.8% pass 57,339 tests
On a 2009 Fiat 500, parking brake efficiency below the limit appears on 15.8% of failed tests, with a leaking shock absorbers next at 12.8%.
2009 cars pass 69% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 50% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 69% | 4,970 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 58.9% | 9,025 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 54.8% | 14,640 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 52.1% | 14,772 |
| Over 100,000 | 50% | 13,736 |
By fuel: petrol 54.9% (54,571 tests), diesel 52.5% (2,759 tests).
Fiat 500 2008 54.8% pass 32,116 tests
On a 2008 Fiat 500, parking brake efficiency below the limit appears on 14.3% of failed tests, with a worn suspension bush next at 10.9%.
2008 cars pass 66.5% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 51.6% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 66.5% | 2,371 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 59.3% | 4,030 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 55.1% | 7,468 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 52.8% | 8,542 |
| Over 100,000 | 51.6% | 9,540 |
By fuel: petrol 54.8% (28,129 tests), diesel 54.8% (3,987 tests).
Questions people ask
Is the Fiat 500 reliable?
On MOT evidence the Fiat 500 is below average. It passes 68.3% of tests against 71.7% for all cars, and trails cars of the same age by 3.7 points. 88.9% pass their first MOT at three years old. Figures from 994,670 DVSA tests.
What are the most common Fiat 500 MOT failures?
A worn suspension bush (15.7% of failed tests), shock absorbers bush worn (6.9%) and a leaking shock absorbers (5.6%). Worn bushes and ball joints build up slowly. A vague or clunky front end before the test is worth a garage check, since suspension is where tests are lost.
Which Fiat 500 year is the most reliable?
Among years with a large sample, 2022 cars have the highest pass rate at 90.6% and 2008 cars the lowest at 54.8%. Newer years pass more because they are younger, so compare a specific car's year against the table above rather than against the overall figure.
What advisories does a Fiat 500 usually get?
Tyre tread below the legal minimum is the most frequent, noted on 17.2% of all 500 tests, then a damaged tyre sidewall (11.5%). An advisory passes the car today but marks the item most likely to fail next year.
How many miles a year does a Fiat 500 do?
About 5,551 miles a year on average, calculated from the odometer readings recorded at consecutive MOTs. That is below the UK average of roughly 7,400.
How do I check a particular Fiat 500?
The figures describe the whole fleet. For one car, enter its registration in the free MOT check to see its own test history, advisories and mileage, set against these averages for its year.
Looking at a specific Fiat 500?
Enter the registration to see its own MOT history, advisories and mileage set against these figures, including whether it has done more or fewer than the 5,551 miles a year typical of the model.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 to 2025. Class 4 cars, normal tests only; a pass after rectification counts as an initial failure. Age-adjusted figures compare the model's pass rate at each age with the national rate at the same age. Methodology.