2016 · 8 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2016 Fiat 500 MOT pass rate and common faults

31,227 MOT tests in 2024. 71.0% passed first time, compared with 76.6% for all cars the same age.

93Below average
Passed first time71.0%
Failed or needed repairs29.0%
Typical mileage at test42,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 31,227 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush5.4%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn5.2%
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.5%
  4. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.3%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.1%
    929 marked dangerous
  6. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.6%
    688 marked dangerous
  7. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn1.6%
  8. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.4%
  9. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.3%
  10. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.2%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension20.3%
  2. Tyres7.4%
  3. Brakes6.3%
  4. Lights & electrics5.3%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.3%
  6. Emissions & leaks2.1%
  7. Body & chassis2.0%
  8. Number plates & VIN0.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm17.9%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened13.9%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure11.9%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn8.8%
  5. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak7.6%

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: shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush. 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 2016 Fiat 500?

In 2024, 71.0% of 2016 Fiat 500 cars passed their MOT first time, across 31,227 tests. The average for all 8-year-old cars was 76.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2016 Fiat 500?

The most common failure reasons were shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; coil spring: fractured or broken. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2016 Fiat 500 reliable at MOT time?

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