2013 · 11 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2013 Fiat 500 L MOT pass rate and common faults

1,992 MOT tests in 2024. 59.6% passed first time, compared with 66.8% for all cars the same age.

89Well below average
Passed first time59.6%
Failed or needed repairs40.4%
Typical mileage at test77,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,992 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken7.6%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn6.4%
  3. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements4.1%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick4.0%
    94 marked dangerous
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.2%
    86 marked dangerous
  6. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.5%
  7. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.2%
  8. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.9%
    44 marked dangerous
  9. Stop lamp: not working1.9%
  10. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn1.6%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension20.7%
  2. Brakes14.9%
  3. Lights & electrics14.3%
  4. Tyres9.3%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.6%
  6. Emissions & leaks4.3%
  7. Body & chassis4.1%
  8. Steering3.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm19.4%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened14.6%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure12.6%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick8.6%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn7.7%

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: coil spring: fractured or broken. 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 2013 Fiat 500 L?

In 2024, 59.6% of 2013 Fiat 500 L cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,992 tests. The average for all 11-year-old cars was 66.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2013 Fiat 500 L?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2013 Fiat 500 L reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 89, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).