2010 · 14 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2010 Fiat 500 MOT pass rate and common faults

19,785 MOT tests in 2024. 56.9% passed first time, compared with 59.6% for all cars the same age.

95Below average
Passed first time56.9%
Failed or needed repairs43.1%
Typical mileage at test75,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 19,785 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements5.5%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.5%
  3. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak4.2%
  4. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.7%
  5. Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush3.5%
  6. Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side3.3%
  7. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases3.1%
  8. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.9%
  9. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps2.7%
  10. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.6%
    735 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension25.5%
  2. Lights & electrics25.2%
  3. Brakes22.8%
  4. Tyres8.4%
  5. Body & chassis7.5%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.5%
  7. Emissions & leaks6.3%
  8. Steering1.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm18.1%
  2. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened16.6%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure12.9%
  4. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases12.4%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.6%

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.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2010 Fiat 500?

In 2024, 56.9% of 2010 Fiat 500 cars passed their MOT first time, across 19,785 tests. The average for all 14-year-old cars was 59.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2010 Fiat 500?

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

Is the 2010 Fiat 500 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 95, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).