Fiat 500 L
From 7,456 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer 500 Ls fare better: 2014 models pass at 71.4% vs 65.2% for 2011.
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened and parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement. The top issue, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, caused 444 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 444 |
| a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 279 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 169 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 166 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 147 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 145 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 123 |
| stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 108 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 99 |
| exhaust system leaking or insecure | 98 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 21.2% of 500 L failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 57.6% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £147.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 71.4% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened |
| 2013 | 70.3% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened |
| 2012 | 72.4% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a shock absorber bush excessively worn |
| 2011 | 65.2% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer |
Typical mileage
Half of all 500 Ls tested had between 52,748 and 96,710 miles on the clock.
At 78,198 median miles, the 500 L has 0.038 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 500 L MOT pass rate?
The Fiat 500 L has a 70.5% MOT pass rate based on 7,456 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Fiat 500 L?
The most common MOT failure on the Fiat 500 L is a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, which caused 444 failures. Other common issues include a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened.
What is the typical mileage of a Fiat 500 L at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Fiat 500 L is 78,198 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 52,748 and 96,710 miles.
Buying a used 500 L?
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 70.5% pass rate and an average repair bill of £147 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
Some links are to services we may earn from. Disclosure.
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.