Small car · 1998–2021 cars
Fiat 500L reliability
The Fiat 500L fails 33.7% of first MOT tests, 30% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 69,996 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Fiat 500L before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 33.7%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 30% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 69,996
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 7,000
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Fiat 500L ages
Each point is the share of Fiat 500Ls of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Fiat 500L | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 19.3% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 21.5% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 23.7% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 26.6% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 30.7% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 33% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 36% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 38.5% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 38.8% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 47.3% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 35.9% | 39.5% |
By year
The best and worst Fiat 500L years
2013 cars come out best and 2018 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 404 | 19.1% | 56% more fails | 24,864 |
| 2018 500L | 1,972 | 24.4% | 81% more fails | 28,150 |
| 2017 500L | 2,864 | 28% | 73% more fails | 36,893 |
| 2016 500L | 5,237 | 27.5% | 45% more fails | 44,091 |
| 2015 500L | 9,612 | 30.8% | 36% more fails | 53,654 |
| 2014 500L | 27,005 | 34.6% | 28% more fails | 67,037 |
| 2013 500L | 20,412 | 36.8% | 24% more fails | 71,340 |
| 2012 | 959 | 38.5% | 25% more fails | 63,151 |
| 2011 500L | 1,262 | 43% | 32% more fails | 67,234 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Fiat 500L
Its weak spot is seat belts and airbags: 117% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension12.2%65% above avg
- Lights and electrics11.2%26% above avg
- Brakes7.5%39% above avg
- Tyres6.8%9% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.7%18% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.1%44% above avg
- Steering2.6%67% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure2.4%9% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags1.2%117% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Coil spring fractured or broken 5.37% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 2
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 3.54% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 3
Stop lamp not working 3.29% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 4
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.49% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 5
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 2.39% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 6
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.17% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 7
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.97% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 8
Dipped beam headlamp not working 1.81% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Fiat 500L's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit14.9%
- Brake disc pitted or scored10.63%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking10.26%
- Brake pads wearing thin7.54%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear4.6%
- Brake discs showing some wear3.7%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Fiat 500L
- 1
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 2
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 3
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 4
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 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 500L covers about 7,000 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
- Diesel67.7%
- Petrol32.3%
- Electric0%
- Other0%
- LPG0%
Most common colours
Red, White, Grey, Black, Green
Average engine size: 1.3 litres.
Compare
How the Fiat 500L compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| BMW i3 | 11.7% | 28% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Skoda Roomster | 33.2% | about average for its age |
| Suzuki Ignis | 23.5% | 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Alfa Romeo Mito | 36.9% | 16% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mitsubishi Colt | 44.8% | 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai Getz | 46.2% | 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Fiat 500L | 33.7% | 30% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every small car ranked in the small car reliability index, or all Fiat models.
Questions
Fiat 500L questions, answered
Is the Fiat 500L reliable?
On MOT results, the Fiat 500L is well below average: it fails 33.7% of first MOT tests, 30% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 49 of 63 small car models in our index.
What fails most on a Fiat 500L MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Fiat 500L are coil spring fractured or broken (5.37% of tests), suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (3.54% of tests), stop lamp not working (3.29% of tests). By area, suspension fails 12.2% of its tests.
Which Fiat 500L year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2013 cars do best (24% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2018 cars do worst (81% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Fiat 500L do a year?
A typical Fiat 500L covers about 7,000 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 500L 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.
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