Fiat 126
From 551 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, emissions levels exceed default limits, a lamp missing and inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning. The top issue, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, caused 40 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 40 |
| emissions levels exceed default limits | 16 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 16 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 13 |
| an obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 11 |
| vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 11 |
| brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. | 11 |
| a wheel bearing with excessive play | 10 |
| significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 8 |
| a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 7 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. Only 21% of 126 failures are serious (safety or roadside), below the 44.4% average. When this car fails its MOT, it's more likely to be lights, wipers, or emissions than something dangerous. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £82.
Fiat 126 on UK roads
The fleet is shrinking: 16 scrapped or exported in the past year with only 8 newly registered, a net loss of 8. Now at 8.3% of its peak (12,172 in 1994 Q4).
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 260 | 746 | +0 | -0 | +5 |
| 2025 Q2 | 255 | 746 | +0 | -4 | -4 |
| 2025 Q1 | 228 | 777 | +4 | -0 | +8 |
| 2024 Q4 | 225 | 772 | +4 | -12 | -8 |
| 2024 Q3 | 242 | 763 | +0 | -3 | -3 |
| 2024 Q2 | 233 | 775 | +6 | -0 | +6 |
| 2024 Q1 | 210 | 792 | +2 | -9 | -7 |
| 2023 Q4 | 208 | 801 | +0 | -1 | -1 |
2 variants on the road
| Variant | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 126 | Petrol | 132 | 65% |
| 126 Bis | Petrol | 71 | 35% |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
Typical mileage
Half of all 126s tested had between 20,361 and 46,703 miles on the clock. Relatively low mileage overall. Many are still fairly young.
At 29,288 median miles, the 126 has 0.071 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Fiat models
| Fiat 500 | 75% |
| Fiat Ducato | 75.4% |
| Fiat Panda | 71.7% |
| Fiat Punto | 65.7% |
| Fiat Doblo | 71.6% |
Common questions
What is the Fiat 126 MOT pass rate?
The Fiat 126 has a 79.3% MOT pass rate based on 551 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Fiat 126?
The most common MOT failure on the Fiat 126 is the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, which caused 40 failures. Other common issues include emissions levels exceed default limits.
How many Fiat 126s are on UK roads?
There are 260 Fiat 126s currently licensed on UK roads, with 746 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Fiat 126 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Fiat 126 is 29,288 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 20,361 and 46,703 miles.
Buying a used 126?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 79.3% pass rate and an average repair bill of £82 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.