2008 Fiat 500 · 39,597 MOT tests
2008 Fiat 500 reliability
2008 Fiat 500s fail 44% of first MOT tests, 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 1 of 14 500 years (39,597 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Fiat 500s: 31%)
- 44%
- first-time fail rate (all Fiat 500s: 31%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 10% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 15
- 82,610
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 15
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 39,597
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2008 against the years either side
- 2007 cars: 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2008 car does better)
- 2009 cars: 16% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2008 car does better)
- Weak spot: brakes, 14.9% of tests fail here (48% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 62% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2008 car carries a 57 plate (January–February 2008), or a 08 plate (March–August 2008), or a 58 plate (September–December 2008).
Common problems
What fails on a 2008 Fiat 500
Fail rate by area
- Suspension20%
- Lights and electrics18%
- Brakes14.9%
- Body, chassis and structure8.1%
- Tyres7.5%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.4%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks5.9%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 5.08%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 4.57%
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 4.07%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Position lamp not working 3.35%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Exhaust has major gas leak 3.27%
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 2.86%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Common advisories
Coil spring showing some corrosion (14.8%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (14.6%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (10.56%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (9.87%) · Exhaust has minor gas leak (9.41%) · Shock absorber light oil misting (8.68%)
Other years
Every Fiat 500 year
The full picture: Fiat 500 reliability. Before you pay for any Fiat 500, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2008 Fiat 500 reliable?
2008 Fiat 500s fail 44% of first MOT tests, 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 1 of 14 500 years (39,597 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2008 Fiat 500 MOT?
Most often parking brake efficiency below minimum (5.08% of tests), shock absorber serious fluid leak (4.57% of tests), suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (4.07% of tests).
How many miles should a 2008 Fiat 500 have done?
At its MOT aged about 15, a typical 2008 Fiat 500 shows 82,610 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2008 car?
A car first registered in 2008 carries a 57 plate (January–February 2008), or a 08 plate (March–August 2008), or a 58 plate (September–December 2008).
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