Small SUV · 2015–2021 cars
Fiat 500X reliability
The Fiat 500X fails 21.4% of first MOT tests, 14% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 108,668 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Fiat 500X before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 21.4%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 14% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 108,668
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 7,500
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Fiat 500X ages
Each point is the share of Fiat 500Xs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Fiat 500X | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 9.2% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 11% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 16.5% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 21.9% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 25.8% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 29.6% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 30.9% | 28.8% |
By year
The best and worst Fiat 500X years
2019 cars come out best and 2016 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 731 | 12% | 9% more fails | 21,885 |
| 2020 500X | 3,680 | 10.9% | 5% fewer fails | 24,936 |
| 2019 500X | 9,199 | 10.4% | 18% fewer fails | 28,044 |
| 2018 500X | 9,610 | 13.1% | 6% fewer fails | 31,598 |
| 2017 500X | 15,549 | 19.2% | 12% more fails | 41,131 |
| 2016 500X | 45,670 | 24.2% | 21% more fails | 49,453 |
| 2015 500X | 24,229 | 26.8% | 16% more fails | 57,138 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Fiat 500X
Its weak spot is steering: 414% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics7.6%48% above avg
- Tyres6.6%20% above avg
- Steering3.6%414% above avg
- Suspension3.1%19% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.6%23% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.6%99% above avg
- Brakes2.4%33% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.9%20% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.3%24% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Position lamp not working 4.34% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.34% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 3
Track rod end dust cover damaged 1.9% of tests
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the ball joint, which speeds up wear and may lead to a costly replacement.
- 4
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.3% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 5
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.16% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 6
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.1% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 7
Diesel engine warning light faulty 1% of tests
A lit or non-working engine warning light can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 8
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 0.96% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Fiat 500X's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit14.26%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking11.35%
- Brake disc pitted or scored9.53%
- Brake pads wearing thin5.2%
- Child seat limits belt inspection4.15%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear2.99%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Fiat 500X
- 1
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 3
Track rod end dust cover damaged
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the ball joint, which speeds up wear and may lead to a costly replacement.
- 4
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 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 500X covers about 7,500 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
- Petrol66.6%
- Diesel33.4%
Most common colours
Grey, Red, Black, White, Blue
Average engine size: 1.5 litres.
Compare
How the Fiat 500X compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Honda HR-V | 13.1% | 28% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Jaguar E-Pace | 11.3% | 21% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Kia Niro | 13% | 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mitsubishi ASX | 22.1% | 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SEAT Arona | 14.2% | 9% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Crossland | 14.3% | 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Fiat 500X | 21.4% | 14% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every small suv ranked in the small suv reliability index, or all Fiat models.
Questions
Fiat 500X questions, answered
Is the Fiat 500X reliable?
On MOT results, the Fiat 500X is below average: it fails 21.4% of first MOT tests, 14% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 31 of 40 small suv models in our index.
What fails most on a Fiat 500X MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Fiat 500X are position lamp not working (4.34% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.34% of tests), track rod end dust cover damaged (1.9% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 7.6% of its tests.
Which Fiat 500X year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2019 cars do best (18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2016 cars do worst (21% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Fiat 500X do a year?
A typical Fiat 500X covers about 7,500 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 500X 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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