2011 Fiat 500 · 64,645 MOT tests
2011 Fiat 500 reliability
2011 Fiat 500s fail 39.5% of first MOT tests, 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 7 of 14 500 years (64,645 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Fiat 500s: 31%)
- 39.5%
- first-time fail rate (all Fiat 500s: 31%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 20% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 12
- 66,926
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 12
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 64,645
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2011 against the years either side
- 2010 cars: 16% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2011 car does worse)
- 2012 cars: 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2011 car does better)
- Weak spot: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 4.7% of tests fail here (49% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 54% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2011 car carries a 60 plate (January–February 2011), or a 11 plate (March–August 2011), or a 61 plate (September–December 2011).
Common problems
What fails on a 2011 Fiat 500
Fail rate by area
- Suspension17.2%
- Lights and electrics16.8%
- Brakes8.1%
- Tyres7%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.1%
- Body, chassis and structure5.4%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.7%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 5.01%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Shock absorber bush excessively worn 4.31%
Worn shock absorber bushes cause knocking and poor ride control, and they tend to worsen, so they need replacing.
Stop lamp not working 2.93%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 2.63%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Position lamp not working 2.49%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 2.41%
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (15.1%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (10.69%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (10.44%) · Exhaust has minor gas leak (9.4%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (8.05%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (6.47%)
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 2011 Fiat 500 reliable?
2011 Fiat 500s fail 39.5% of first MOT tests, 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 7 of 14 500 years (64,645 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2011 Fiat 500 MOT?
Most often suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (5.01% of tests), shock absorber bush excessively worn (4.31% of tests), stop lamp not working (2.93% of tests).
How many miles should a 2011 Fiat 500 have done?
At its MOT aged about 12, a typical 2011 Fiat 500 shows 66,926 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2011 car?
A car first registered in 2011 carries a 60 plate (January–February 2011), or a 11 plate (March–August 2011), or a 61 plate (September–December 2011).
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