2012 Abarth 500 · 2,748 MOT tests
2012 Abarth 500 reliability
2012 Abarth 500s fail 31.3% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 5 of 7 500 years (2,748 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Abarth 500s: 29.9%)
- 31.3%
- first-time fail rate (all Abarth 500s: 29.9%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 2% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- 64,899
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 2,748
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2012 against the years either side
- 2011 cars: 3% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does worse)
- 2013 cars: about average for its age (the 2012 car does worse)
- Weak spot: body, chassis and structure, 5.7% of tests fail here (81% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 30% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2012 car carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
Common problems
What fails on a 2012 Abarth 500
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics13.6%
- Suspension12.2%
- Tyres6.1%
- Body, chassis and structure5.7%
- Brakes5.4%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.1%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.9%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
CV joint boot split or insecure 3.53%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 2.51%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 2.47%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Shock absorber bush excessively worn 2.4%
Worn shock absorber bushes cause knocking and poor ride control, and they tend to worsen, so they need replacing.
Headlamp aim set too low 2.22%
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
Position lamp not working 2%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Common advisories
Brake disc pitted or scored (13.9%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (11.1%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (7.39%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (7.35%) · Brake pads wearing thin (5.17%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (4.29%)
Is a 2012 Abarth 500 reliable?
2012 Abarth 500s fail 31.3% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 5 of 7 500 years (2,748 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2012 Abarth 500 MOT?
Most often cv joint boot split or insecure (3.53% of tests), suspension ball joint excessively worn (2.51% of tests), suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (2.47% of tests).
How many miles should a 2012 Abarth 500 have done?
At its MOT aged about 11, a typical 2012 Abarth 500 shows 64,899 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2012 car?
A car first registered in 2012 carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
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