2012 Fiat 500C · 9,468 MOT tests
2012 Fiat 500C reliability
2012 Fiat 500Cs fail 35.8% of first MOT tests, 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 6 of 11 500C years (9,468 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Fiat 500Cs: 31.5%)
- 35.8%
- first-time fail rate (all Fiat 500Cs: 31.5%)
- 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
- 58,242
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 9,468
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2012 against the years either side
- 2011 cars: 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does worse)
- 2013 cars: 22% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does worse)
- Weak spot: suspension, 17.7% of tests fail here (86% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- 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 500C
Fail rate by area
- Suspension17.7%
- Lights and electrics12.1%
- Tyres6.8%
- Brakes6.2%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.7%
- Body, chassis and structure4.6%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.7%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 5.27%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Shock absorber bush excessively worn 4.49%
Worn shock absorber bushes cause knocking and poor ride control, and they tend to worsen, so they need replacing.
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 4.43%
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 2.09%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Stop lamp not working 2.03%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Registration plate lamp not working 1.98%
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (14.99%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (9.72%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (9.37%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (9.02%) · Shock absorber light oil misting (7.45%) · Shock absorber bush slightly worn (6.93%)
Other years
Every Fiat 500C year
The full picture: Fiat 500C reliability. Before you pay for any Fiat 500C, 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 500C reliable?
2012 Fiat 500Cs fail 35.8% of first MOT tests, 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 6 of 11 500C years (9,468 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2012 Fiat 500C MOT?
Most often suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (5.27% of tests), shock absorber bush excessively worn (4.49% of tests), shock absorber serious fluid leak (4.43% of tests).
How many miles should a 2012 Fiat 500C have done?
At its MOT aged about 11, a typical 2012 Fiat 500C shows 58,242 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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