2016 · 8 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2016 Fiat 500L MOT pass rate and common faults

1,515 MOT tests in 2024. 67.1% passed first time, compared with 76.6% for all cars the same age.

87Well below average
Passed first time67.1%
Failed or needed repairs32.9%
Typical mileage at test51,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,515 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Stop lamp: not working4.2%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.2%
  3. Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.7%
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.4%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.2%
    42 marked dangerous
  6. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.2%
  7. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.7%
  8. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.7%
    29 marked dangerous
  9. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.5%
    27 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics14.6%
  2. Suspension9.7%
  3. Tyres8.6%
  4. Brakes6.0%
  5. Steering5.5%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.2%
  7. Emissions & leaks4.2%
  8. Body & chassis1.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.0%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure12.5%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened10.6%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick7.1%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn5.8%

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: stop lamp: not working. 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 500L?

In 2024, 67.1% of 2016 Fiat 500L cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,515 tests. The average for all 8-year-old cars was 76.6%.

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

The most common failure reasons were stop lamp: not working; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2016 Fiat 500L reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 87, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).