Sports car and convertible · 2016–2019 cars
Abarth 124 Spider reliability
The Abarth 124 Spider fails 9.6% of first MOT tests, 25% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 6,677 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Abarth 124 Spider before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 9.6%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 25% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 6,677
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 4,800
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Abarth 124 Spider ages
Each point is the share of Abarth 124 Spiders of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Abarth 124 Spider | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 8.7% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 11.2% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 8.3% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 11.5% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 6.5% | 22.1% |
By year
The best and worst Abarth 124 Spider years
2018 cars come out best and 2017 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 767 | 12.8% | 21% more fails | 17,105 |
| 2018 124 Spider | 3,451 | 8.2% | 32% fewer fails | 22,083 |
| 2017 124 Spider | 1,769 | 11.1% | 21% fewer fails | 26,746 |
| 2016 | 690 | 9.1% | 40% fewer fails | 25,650 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Abarth 124 Spider
Its weak spot is exhaust, emissions and leaks: 46% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics3.3%15% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.5%20% below avg
- Tyres1.9%51% below avg
- Brakes1.8%12% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1%46% above avg
- Suspension0.7%60% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.2%35% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.1%85% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.1%76% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.27% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
Headlamp aim set too high 0.75% of tests
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
- 3
Position lamp not working 0.69% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 4
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 0.54% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 5
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.51% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 6
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 0.43% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 7
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 0.37% of tests
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 8
LED or HID headlamp cleaner inoperative 0.36% of tests
Without a working cleaner, dirt can build up on LED or HID lenses and reduce light output, so repair is needed.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Abarth 124 Spider's MOT certificate most often.
- Brake disc pitted or scored8.1%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit6.95%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking4.45%
- Brake pads wearing thin4.1%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear1.48%
- Tyre has a shallow cut1.06%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Abarth 124 Spider
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
Headlamp aim set too high
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
- 3
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 4
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Abarth 124 Spider covers about 4,800 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol100%
Most common colours
Grey, White, Red, Blue, Black
Average engine size: 1.4 litres.
Compare
How the Abarth 124 Spider compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Nissan Skyline | 14.2% | 60% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan 370 Z | 14.3% | 51% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Lexus SC | 21.7% | 46% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Abarth 124 Spider | 9.6% | 25% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MINI Coupe | 27.6% | 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Alfa Romeo Brera | 34.8% | 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Alfa Romeo GT | 45.9% | 8% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every sports car and convertible ranked in the sports car and convertible reliability index, or all Abarth models.
Questions
Abarth 124 Spider questions, answered
Is the Abarth 124 Spider reliable?
On MOT results, the Abarth 124 Spider is better than average: it fails 9.6% of first MOT tests, 25% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 39 of 62 sports car and convertible models in our index.
What fails most on a Abarth 124 Spider MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Abarth 124 Spider are wiper blade not clearing windscreen (1.27% of tests), headlamp aim set too high (0.75% of tests), position lamp not working (0.69% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 3.3% of its tests.
Which Abarth 124 Spider year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2018 cars do best (32% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2017 cars do worst (21% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Abarth 124 Spider do a year?
A typical Abarth 124 Spider covers about 4,800 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Abarth 124 Spider before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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