Fiat common problems and MOT failures

From 1,295,243 MOT tests in 2024, 20.9% of Fiat vehicles failed. Below are the most common reasons, ranked by how often they occur.

Top Fiat MOT failure reasons

#	Problem	Occurrences	% of failures
1	suspension pin, bush or joint worn	58,724	24.4%
2	the aim of a headlamp is not within limits the requirements	24,181	10.0%
3	tyre tread depth outside legal limits	24,168	10.0%
4	lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning	21,613	9.0%
5	shock absorber bush worn	20,137	8.4%
6	tyre seriously damaged	19,927	8.3%
7	parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement	19,114	7.9%
8	shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage	18,352	7.6%
9	wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen	17,830	7.4%
10	exhaust system leaking or insecure	16,874	7.0%

What this means if you're buying a Fiat

The single most common MOT failure for Fiat is suspension pin, bush or joint worn, accounting for 24% of all failure items. Suspension repairs typically cost £150–£400 depending on the component.

These figures are from real MOT inspections — they show what testers actually find wrong with Fiat vehicles. If you're viewing a used Fiat, it's worth checking these areas specifically.

Fiat models by MOT pass rate

Lowest pass rates first — these models have the most testable issues.

Model	Tests	Pass rate
Bravo	9,525	68.6%
Scudo	14,658	69.7%
Grande Punto	11,670	71.7%
Punto	99,054	72.4%
Panda	146,414	76%
Fiorino	12,683	76.1%
Doblo	68,470	76.3%
500L	26,308	77.7%
500	455,896	79.1%
500C	26,756	79.1%
Ducato	160,506	80%
Tipo	18,510	82.4%
500X	52,357	84%
500 Lounge Mhev	10,583	92.5%
Auto Trail	15,140	93.7%

Buying a specific Fiat? Check the individual vehicle's MOT history for free on GOV.UK to see its actual test results, advisories, and mileage readings.

Check MOT history on GOV.UK