MOT failure data · 2025

Fiat 500 L MOT problems

Across every Fiat 500 L that failed its 2025 MOT, the defect testers recorded most often was coil spring fractured or broken, on 9.3% of failure items. The broadest problem area was suspension at 27.09%. These are recorded defects across the model, not a diagnosis of any one car.

Most common Fiat 500 L MOT failures

#Recorded defect AreaShare
1 Coil spring fractured or broken Suspension 9.3%
2 Pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn Suspension 9.11%
3 Rbt (sp) efficiency below requirements Brakes 5.89%
4 Tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres 5.15%
5 Track rod end ball joint has excessive play Steering 3.44%
6 Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick Brakes 3.19%
7 Condition has ply or cords exposed Tyres 3.09%
8 Stop lamp not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 2.99%
9 Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Steering 2.67%
10 Condition has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords Tyres 2.57%

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 L, 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 L buying guide covers what to check beyond the MOT.

Checking a specific Fiat 500 L?

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

Free MOT history is available too — the £15 report adds finance, write-off, stolen and mileage checks.

Other Fiat models

Fiat 500 L MOT FAQs

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

The single most recorded defect on Fiat 500 L cars failing their 2025 MOT was "coil spring fractured or broken", appearing on 9.3% of failure items.

Does this mean my Fiat 500 L will fail?

No. This is what testers recorded across every Fiat 500 L that failed in 2025. It shows where this model tends to need attention, not the condition of any individual car. The Fiat 500 L passed 66.32% of its initial tests.

How do I see a specific Fiat 500 L'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: Fiat 500 L MOT pass rate · used Fiat 500 L 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.