City car · 1999–2021 cars
Abarth 595 reliability
The Abarth 595 fails 18.6% of first MOT tests, 16% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 64,584 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Abarth 595 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 18.6%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 16% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 64,584
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 5,900
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Abarth 595 ages
Each point is the share of Abarth 595s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Abarth 595 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 12% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 14.7% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 17.7% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 19.8% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 21.5% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 25.2% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 25.5% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 26.6% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 29.9% | 34.6% |
By year
The best and worst Abarth 595 years
2020 cars come out best and 2021 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 595 | 1,191 | 13.4% | 36% more fails | 19,198 |
| 2020 595 | 4,719 | 10% | 4% fewer fails | 19,595 |
| 2019 595 | 8,367 | 13.1% | 12% more fails | 23,406 |
| 2018 595 | 14,630 | 16.5% | 22% more fails | 28,981 |
| 2017 595 | 12,688 | 18.7% | 16% more fails | 35,760 |
| 2016 595 | 11,616 | 22.3% | 20% more fails | 41,640 |
| 2015 595 | 6,525 | 24.6% | 18% more fails | 44,693 |
| 2014 595 | 2,178 | 23.6% | 2% more fails | 46,239 |
| 2013 595 | 1,946 | 31.5% | 18% more fails | 53,411 |
| 2012 | 697 | 26% | 6% fewer fails | 53,733 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Abarth 595
Its weak spot is suspension: 100% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension5.7%100% above avg
- Tyres5.2%12% above avg
- Lights and electrics4.7%12% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.4%4% above avg
- Brakes3.3%13% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.9%87% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.9%10% above avg
- Number plates and VIN0.4%116% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.2%25% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.72% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.17% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 3
Shock absorber bush excessively worn 1.12% of tests
Worn shock absorber bushes cause knocking and poor ride control, and they tend to worsen, so they need replacing.
- 4
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.11% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 5
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 0.97% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 6
Tyre ply or cords exposed 0.97% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 7
Coil spring fractured or broken 0.82% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 8
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 0.72% of tests
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Abarth 595's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit10.78%
- Brake disc pitted or scored9.79%
- Brake pads wearing thin4.91%
- Shock absorber light oil misting2.85%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking2.54%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear2.45%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Abarth 595
- 1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 3
Shock absorber bush excessively worn
Worn shock absorber bushes cause knocking and poor ride control, and they tend to worsen, so they need replacing.
- 4
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 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 595 covers about 5,900 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%
- Diesel0%
Most common colours
Grey, Red, White, Black, Blue
Average engine size: 1.4 litres.
Compare
How the Abarth 595 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota iQ | 23% | 29% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SEAT Mii | 21.4% | about average for its age |
| Smart Fortwo Coupe | 34.8% | about average for its age |
| Abarth 595 | 18.6% | 16% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Fiat 500C | 31.5% | 27% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Smart Forfour | 25.6% | 30% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Chevrolet Spark | 44.8% | 46% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every city car ranked in the city car reliability index, or all Abarth models.
Questions
Abarth 595 questions, answered
Is the Abarth 595 reliable?
On MOT results, the Abarth 595 is below average: it fails 18.6% of first MOT tests, 16% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 23 of 43 city car models in our index.
What fails most on a Abarth 595 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Abarth 595 are tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.72% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (1.17% of tests), shock absorber bush excessively worn (1.12% of tests). By area, suspension fails 5.7% of its tests.
Which Abarth 595 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2020 cars do best (4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2021 cars do worst (36% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Abarth 595 do a year?
A typical Abarth 595 covers about 5,900 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 595 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.
Found a Abarth 595? Check it free.
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.