MOT failure data · 2025

Fiat 500 MOT problems

Across every Fiat 500 that failed its 2025 MOT, the defect testers recorded most often was pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn, on 10.59% of failure items. The broadest problem area was suspension at 35.12%. These are recorded defects across the model, not a diagnosis of any one car.

Most common Fiat 500 MOT failures

#	Recorded defect	Area	Share
1	Pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn	Suspension	10.59%
2	Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush	Suspension	6.02%
3	Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak	Suspension	4.76%
4	Ball joint ball joint excessively worn	Suspension	4.13%
5	Tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm	Tyres	4.02%
6	Rbt (sp) efficiency below requirements	Brakes	3.37%
7	Condition has ply or cords exposed	Tyres	3.28%
8	Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick	Brakes	2.51%
9	Wipers does not clear the windscreen effectively	Visibility	2.4%
10	Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect	Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment	2.35%

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 Fiat 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 Fiat 500 buying guide covers what to check beyond the MOT.

Checking a specific Fiat 500?

Enter its registration for finance, write-off, stolen, mileage and keeper history.

Other Fiat models

Fiat 500 MOT FAQs

What does a Fiat 500 most commonly fail its MOT on?

The single most recorded defect on Fiat 500 cars failing their 2025 MOT was "pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn", appearing on 10.59% of failure items.

Does this mean my Fiat 500 will fail?

No. This is what testers recorded across every Fiat 500 that failed in 2025. It shows where this model tends to need attention, not the condition of any individual car. The Fiat 500 passed 70.89% of its initial tests.

How do I see a specific Fiat 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.

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.