Sports car and convertible · 1996–2019 cars
Fiat 124 reliability
The Fiat 124 fails 12.5% of first MOT tests, 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 10,087 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Fiat 124 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 12.5%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 6% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 10,087
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 4,600
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Fiat 124 ages
Each point is the share of Fiat 124s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Fiat 124 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 9.5% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 11.2% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 11.7% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 14.5% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 14% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 11.7% | 25.5% |
By year
The best and worst Fiat 124 years
2016 cars come out best and 2018 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
Common problems
What fails most on a Fiat 124
Its weak spot is brakes: 52% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics4%31% above avg
- Brakes3.2%52% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.2%1% above avg
- Tyres2.4%40% below avg
- Suspension1.7%11% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.6%22% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.2%6% above avg
- Wheels0.1%21% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.1%86% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.05% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.53% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 3
Position lamp not working 1.06% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 4
Headlamp aim set too high 0.83% of tests
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
- 5
Coil spring fractured or broken 0.73% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 6
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 0.64% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 7
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 0.58% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 8
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.57% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Fiat 124's MOT certificate most often.
- Brake disc pitted or scored8.05%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit7.74%
- Brake pads wearing thin7.49%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking6.2%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear1.97%
- Road wheel slightly distorted1.46%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Fiat 124
- 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
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.
- 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
Headlamp aim set too high
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
- 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 Fiat 124 covers about 4,600 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
White, Red, Grey, Black, Blue
Average engine size: 1.4 litres.
Compare
How the Fiat 124 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Nissan GT-R | 5.6% | 76% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Aston Martin DB11 | 3.9% | 66% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Alfa Romeo Spider | 30.2% | 18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MINI Roadster | 19.6% | 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MINI Convertible | 28.1% | 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Fiat 124 | 12.5% | 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Cascada | 22.6% | 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every sports car and convertible ranked in the sports car and convertible reliability index, or all Fiat models.
Questions
Fiat 124 questions, answered
Is the Fiat 124 reliable?
On MOT results, the Fiat 124 is about average: it fails 12.5% of first MOT tests, 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 56 of 62 sports car and convertible models in our index.
What fails most on a Fiat 124 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Fiat 124 are wiper blade not clearing windscreen (2.05% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (1.53% of tests), position lamp not working (1.06% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 4% of its tests.
Which Fiat 124 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2016 cars do best (12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2018 cars do worst (3% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Fiat 124 do a year?
A typical Fiat 124 covers about 4,600 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 Fiat 124 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 Fiat 124? Check it free.
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.