City car · 1997–2021 cars

Fiat 500 reliability

The Fiat 500 fails 31% of first MOT tests, 28% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 1,049,721 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Well below averageReliability score 25/100#35 of 43 city cars

Checking a Fiat 500 before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 31%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 28% more; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 1,049,721; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 5,900; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Fiat 500 is below average for MOT results. 31% of first-time tests fail, against 28.4% for all cars. It ranks 35 of 43 city car models and has 28% more MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. Suspension is its weakest area, with 94% more fails than comparable cars. Model year matters too: 2008 cars fared best at 10% more fails than comparable cars, while 2015 cars fared worst at 50% more. That need not put you off, but it does mean checking carefully.

Check the suspension first. Look for worn suspension arm pins or bushes (4.2% of tests), worn shock absorber bushes (2.72%) and serious fluid leaks from the shock absorbers (2.15%). Test the wipers too, as blades that do not clear the windscreen account for 2.13% of tests. Ask for the MOT history and listen for knocks on a test drive.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Fiat 500 ages

Each point is the share of Fiat 500s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Fiat 500All cars

Fiat 500 first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Fiat 500	All cars
3	11.5%	12.3%
4	15.1%	14.1%
5	19.7%	16.4%
6	24.3%	19.1%
7	28.6%	22.1%
8	31.7%	25.5%
9	33.8%	28.8%
10	35.7%	31.8%
11	37.5%	34.6%
12	40.3%	37.3%
13	42.6%	39.5%
14	43.4%	41.1%
15	43.6%	42.3%
16	43.5%	42.9%

By year

The best and worst Fiat 500 years

2008 cars come out best and 2015 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Fiat 500 MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 500	2,615	11.6%	15% more fails	18,429
2020 500	19,559	11.7%	11% more fails	18,999
2019 500	56,374	13.5%	19% more fails	21,582
2018 500	81,706	17%	31% more fails	25,982
2017 500	77,637	21.5%	40% more fails	32,525
2016 500	106,761	26.1%	48% more fails	37,473
2015 500	126,031	31.4%	50% more fails	44,263
2014 500	132,661	32.7%	35% more fails	51,046
2013 500	112,936	34.1%	26% more fails	56,348
2012 500	91,707	37%	23% more fails	61,994
2011 500	64,645	39.5%	20% more fails	66,926
2010 500	69,695	41.3%	16% more fails	72,076
2009 500	67,258	43.8%	16% more fails	77,697
2008 500	39,597	44%	10% more fails	82,610
2007	494	45.5%	10% more fails	84,871

Common problems

What fails most on a Fiat 500

Its weak spot is suspension: 94% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Suspension13.7%94% above avg
Lights and electrics9.9%16% above avg
Brakes6.8%35% above avg
Tyres6.4%17% above avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.1%26% above avg
Body, chassis and structure3.2%43% above avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.7%27% above avg
Seat belts and airbags0.5%22% below avg
Steering0.5%60% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 4.2% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
2
Shock absorber bush excessively worn 2.72% of tests
Worn shock absorber bushes cause knocking and poor ride control, and they tend to worsen, so they need replacing.
3
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 2.15% of tests
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.13% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
5
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.99% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
6
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 1.87% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
7
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.77% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
8
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 1.62% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Fiat 500's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit14.6%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking9.79%
Brake disc pitted or scored8.46%
Coil spring showing some corrosion6.45%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear5.8%
Shock absorber light oil misting5.78%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Fiat 500

1
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
2
Shock absorber bush excessively worn
Worn shock absorber bushes cause knocking and poor ride control, and they tend to worsen, so they need replacing.
3
Shock absorber serious fluid leak
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
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 500 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

Petrol98.7%
Diesel1.3%
Hybrid0%
LPG0%
Electric0%

Most common colours

White, Red, Grey, Blue, Black

Average engine size: 1.2 litres.

Compare

How the Fiat 500 compares with its rivals

Fiat 500 against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Volkswagen up!	18.8%	7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Toyota Aygo	24.5%	about average for its age
Citroën C1	29.7%	9% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Hyundai i10	26.2%	19% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Ford Ka	32.8%	23% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Kia Picanto	29.3%	27% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Fiat 500	31%	28% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every city car ranked in the city car reliability index, or all Fiat models.

Questions

Fiat 500 questions, answered

Is the Fiat 500 reliable?

On MOT results, the Fiat 500 is well below average: it fails 31% of first MOT tests, 28% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 35 of 43 city car models in our index.

What fails most on a Fiat 500 MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Fiat 500 are suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (4.2% of tests), shock absorber bush excessively worn (2.72% of tests), shock absorber serious fluid leak (2.15% of tests). By area, suspension fails 13.7% of its tests.

Which Fiat 500 year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2008 cars do best (10% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2015 cars do worst (50% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Fiat 500 do a year?

A typical Fiat 500 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 Fiat 500 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 500? Check it free.

MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.