2012 Fiat 500 · 91,707 MOT tests
2012 Fiat 500 reliability
2012 Fiat 500s fail 37% of first MOT tests, 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 8 of 14 500 years (91,707 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Fiat 500s: 31%)
- 37%
- first-time fail rate (all Fiat 500s: 31%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 23% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- 61,994
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 91,707
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2012 against the years either side
- 2011 cars: 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does worse)
- 2013 cars: 26% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does better)
- Weak spot: suspension, 17.7% of tests fail here (77% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 46% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2012 car carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
Common problems
What fails on a 2012 Fiat 500
Fail rate by area
- Suspension17.7%
- Lights and electrics13%
- Brakes7.3%
- Tyres6.9%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.4%
- Body, chassis and structure4.7%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.4%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 5.71%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Shock absorber bush excessively worn 4.7%
Worn shock absorber bushes cause knocking and poor ride control, and they tend to worsen, so they need replacing.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 2.64%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 2.43%
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.37%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Position lamp not working 2.1%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (15.86%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (10.06%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (10.06%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (7.76%) · Exhaust has minor gas leak (7.46%) · Shock absorber light oil misting (6.93%)
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 2012 Fiat 500 reliable?
2012 Fiat 500s fail 37% of first MOT tests, 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 8 of 14 500 years (91,707 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2012 Fiat 500 MOT?
Most often suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (5.71% of tests), shock absorber bush excessively worn (4.7% of tests), suspension ball joint excessively worn (2.64% of tests).
How many miles should a 2012 Fiat 500 have done?
At its MOT aged about 11, a typical 2012 Fiat 500 shows 61,994 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2012 car?
A car first registered in 2012 carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
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