Fiat 500C
From 26,756 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer 500Cs fare better: 2018 models pass at 83.9% vs 69.6% for 2009.
Pass rate by fuel type
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage and a shock absorber bush excessively worn. The top issue, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, caused 1,671 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 | 1,671 |
| a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 1,075 |
| a shock absorber bush excessively worn | 807 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 531 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 386 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 353 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 308 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 306 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 285 |
| a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led | 244 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 18% of 500C failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 48% 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 £132.
Fuel type matters
Petrol versions pass at 75.3% while Diesel versions pass at 66%, a 9 percentage point gap.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 83.9% | wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2017 | 82.5% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage |
| 2016 | 80% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage |
| 2015 | 75% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage |
6 earlier years
| 2014 | 74.9% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage |
| 2013 | 74.8% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage |
| 2012 | 72.3% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a shock absorber bush excessively worn |
| 2011 | 71.8% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage |
| 2010 | 70% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage |
| 2009 | 69.6% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement |
Typical mileage
Half of all 500Cs tested had between 35,603 and 68,558 miles on the clock.
At 49,347 median miles, the 500C has 0.05 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 500C MOT pass rate?
The Fiat 500C has a 75.2% MOT pass rate based on 26,756 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Fiat 500C?
The most common MOT failure on the Fiat 500C is a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, which caused 1,671 failures. Other common issues include a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage.
What is the typical mileage of a Fiat 500C at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Fiat 500C is 49,347 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 35,603 and 68,558 miles.
Buying a used 500C?
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 75.2% pass rate and an average repair bill of £132 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.