MOT failure data · 2025
Abarth 500 MOT problems
Across every Abarth 500 that failed its 2025 MOT, the defect testers recorded most often was pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn, on 5.74% of failure items. The broadest problem area was suspension at 29.96%. These are recorded defects across the model, not a diagnosis of any one car.
Most common Abarth 500 MOT failures
| # | Recorded defect | Area | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 5.74% |
| 2 | Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush | Suspension | 5.57% |
| 3 | Ball joint ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 5.27% |
| 4 | Joints constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | Body, chassis, structure | 5.22% |
| 5 | Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 3.6% |
| 6 | Tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 3.3% |
| 7 | Condition has ply or cords exposed | Tyres | 2.94% |
| 8 | Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak | Suspension | 2.87% |
| 9 | Catalyst emissions lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits | Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.87% |
| 10 | Position lamp not working | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 2.82% |
Shares are of all recorded failure items for this model, so they sum to less than 100% — a single failed test often records several defects, and the long tail below the top 10 is not shown.
What this means if you are buying one
Use it as a viewing checklist. If you are looking at a Abarth 500, these are the areas worth inspecting and worth asking about — and worth reading the car's own MOT history for, since a defect that keeps reappearing as an advisory is a better signal than any model-wide average.
The MOT record also has hard limits: it does not check the engine, clutch or gearbox, and it says nothing about outstanding finance, insurance write-off history, stolen markers or whether the mileage is genuine. Our used Abarth 500 buying guide covers what to check beyond the MOT.
Checking a specific Abarth 500?
Enter its registration for finance, write-off, stolen, mileage and keeper history.
Other Abarth models
Abarth 500 MOT FAQs
What does a Abarth 500 most commonly fail its MOT on?
The single most recorded defect on Abarth 500 cars failing their 2025 MOT was "pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn", appearing on 5.74% of failure items.
Does this mean my Abarth 500 will fail?
No. This is what testers recorded across every Abarth 500 that failed in 2025. It shows where this model tends to need attention, not the condition of any individual car. The Abarth 500 passed 72.65% of its initial tests.
How do I see a specific Abarth 500's MOT history?
Enter its registration on our free MOT history check to see that car's own test results, advisories and recorded mileages.
See also: Abarth 500 MOT pass rate · used Abarth 500 buying guide · free MOT history check
Defect counts from the DVSA MOT Anonymised test-item data for 2025 (class 4 initial tests, failure items only — advisories and minor defects excluded), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.