Fiat 500 Star
From 2,317 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer 500 Stars fare better: 2020 models pass at 88.7% vs 86.3% for 2019.
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a tyre seriously damaged, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn and a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage. The top issue, a tyre seriously damaged, caused 44 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 tyre seriously damaged | 44 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 40 |
| a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 25 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 23 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 23 |
| brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn | 18 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 13 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 12 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 11 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 8 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 67.3% of 500 Star failures are safety items (worn brakes, tyre damage, steering play). The car still drives, but you shouldn't. Only 11.5% are the kind that would actually strand you. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £128.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 88.7% | a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2019 | 86.3% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a tyre seriously damaged |
Typical mileage
Half of all 500 Stars tested had between 15,417 and 44,799 miles on the clock. Relatively low mileage overall. Many are still fairly young.
At 25,707 median miles, the 500 Star has 0.048 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 Star MOT pass rate?
The Fiat 500 Star has a 87.7% MOT pass rate based on 2,317 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Fiat 500 Star?
The most common MOT failure on the Fiat 500 Star is a tyre seriously damaged, which caused 44 failures. Other common issues include a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn.
What is the typical mileage of a Fiat 500 Star at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Fiat 500 Star is 25,707 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 15,417 and 44,799 miles.
Buying a used 500 Star?
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.
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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.