City car · 1998–2007 cars
Fiat Seicento reliability
The Fiat Seicento fails 46.7% of first MOT tests, 35% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 5,715 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Fiat Seicento before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 46.7%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 35% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 5,715
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- –
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Fiat Seicento ages
Each point is the share of Fiat Seicentos of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Fiat Seicento | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | 47.9% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 44.8% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 46.4% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 48.4% | 41.4% |
| 22 | 47.3% | 40.6% |
| 23 | 50.8% | 38.9% |
| 24 | 44.3% | 37.1% |
By year
The best and worst Fiat Seicento years
2002 cars come out best and 2001 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Seicento | 1,754 | 47.7% | 33% more fails | 56,036 |
| 2002 Seicento | 1,429 | 45.6% | 28% more fails | 57,365 |
| 2001 Seicento | 1,119 | 47.8% | 38% more fails | 53,347 |
| 2000 | 678 | 49.3% | 51% more fails | 52,634 |
| 1999 | 558 | 44.8% | 40% more fails | 52,992 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Fiat Seicento
Its weak spot is brakes: 134% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Brakes23.2%134% above avg
- Lights and electrics22%45% above avg
- Suspension13.4%22% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure12.7%83% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors10.4%52% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks7.9%54% above avg
- Tyres6.4%37% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags2.7%19% above avg
- Steering2.1%8% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Headlamp aim set too low 8.01% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
- 2
Service brakes uneven across an axle 5.04% of tests
One wheel is braking much less than its pair, so the car may pull to one side and stop poorly.
- 3
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 4.71% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 4
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 4.51% of tests
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
- 5
Service brake excessively binding 4.5% of tests
A brake that drags when released can overheat, wear quickly and waste fuel, so it needs prompt inspection.
- 6
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 4.3% of tests
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
- 7
Exhaust has major gas leak 4.11% of tests
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
- 8
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 4.09% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Fiat Seicento's MOT certificate most often.
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy15.75%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive14.7%
- Coil spring showing some corrosion13.6%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking10.94%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit9.96%
- Exhaust has minor gas leak9.82%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Fiat Seicento
- 1
Headlamp aim set too low
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
- 2
Service brakes uneven across an axle
One wheel is braking much less than its pair, so the car may pull to one side and stop poorly.
- 3
Parking brake efficiency below minimum
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 4
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
- 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 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
- Petrol100%
Most common colours
Blue, Red, Grey, Yellow, Black
Average engine size: 1.1 litres.
Compare
How the Fiat Seicento compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Perodua Myvi | 30.3% | 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Smart Fortwo Cabriolet | 33.5% | about average for its age |
| SEAT Arosa | 42.1% | 9% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Peugeot 1007 | 41% | 11% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Abarth 595C | 15.1% | 16% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mitsubishi Space Star | 55% | 34% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Fiat Seicento | 46.7% | 35% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every city car ranked in the city car reliability index, or all Fiat models.
Questions
Fiat Seicento questions, answered
Is the Fiat Seicento reliable?
On MOT results, the Fiat Seicento is well below average: it fails 46.7% of first MOT tests, 35% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 41 of 43 city car models in our index.
What fails most on a Fiat Seicento MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Fiat Seicento are headlamp aim set too low (8.01% of tests), service brakes uneven across an axle (5.04% of tests), parking brake efficiency below minimum (4.71% of tests). By area, brakes fails 23.2% of its tests.
Which Fiat Seicento year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2002 cars do best (28% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2001 cars do worst (38% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How do I check a Fiat Seicento 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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