City car · 2014–2021 cars
Abarth 595C reliability
The Abarth 595C fails 15.1% of first MOT tests, 16% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 5,965 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Abarth 595C before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 15.1%
- 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
- 5,965
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 5,200
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Abarth 595C ages
Each point is the share of Abarth 595Cs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Abarth 595C | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 13% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 14.3% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 15.4% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 15.3% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 21% | 22.1% |
By year
The best and worst Abarth 595C years
2019 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 576 | 10.4% | 3% more fails | 17,873 |
| 2019 595C | 1,237 | 11.8% | 10% more fails | 18,975 |
| 2018 595C | 1,674 | 15.1% | 19% more fails | 25,306 |
| 2017 595C | 1,325 | 17.7% | 24% more fails | 26,382 |
| 2016 595C | 1,001 | 18.6% | 12% more fails | 33,456 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Abarth 595C
Its weak spot is suspension: 117% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Tyres5.1%26% above avg
- Suspension3.6%117% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.2%4% above avg
- Lights and electrics2.8%5% below avg
- Brakes2.6%24% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1%44% above avg
- Number plates and VIN0.3%66% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.3%39% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.1%55% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.58% 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 1.31% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 3
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.26% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 4
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.99% 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 0.84% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 6
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 0.77% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 7
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 0.74% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 8
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 0.67% 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 595C's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit10.71%
- Brake disc pitted or scored8.62%
- Brake pads wearing thin5.33%
- Shock absorber light oil misting2.26%
- Brake discs showing some wear2.13%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear1.81%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Abarth 595C
- 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
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 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 595C covers about 5,200 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, Black, Red, Blue, White
Average engine size: 1.4 litres.
Compare
How the Abarth 595C compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Perodua Myvi | 30.3% | 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Smart Fortwo Cabriolet | 33.5% | about average for its age |
| SEAT Arosa | 42.1% | 9% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Peugeot 1007 | 41% | 11% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Abarth 595C | 15.1% | 16% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mitsubishi Space Star | 55% | 34% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Fiat Seicento | 46.7% | 35% 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 595C questions, answered
Is the Abarth 595C reliable?
On MOT results, the Abarth 595C is below average: it fails 15.1% of first MOT tests, 16% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 24 of 43 city car models in our index.
What fails most on a Abarth 595C MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Abarth 595C are tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.58% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (1.31% of tests), tyre ply or cords exposed (1.26% of tests). By area, tyres fails 5.1% of its tests.
Which Abarth 595C year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2019 cars do best (10% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2017 cars do worst (24% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Abarth 595C do a year?
A typical Abarth 595C covers about 5,200 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 595C 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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