Family hatchback · 2016–2021 cars
Fiat Tipo reliability
The Fiat Tipo fails 26.1% of first MOT tests, 52% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 37,019 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Fiat Tipo before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 26.1%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 52% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 37,019
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 8,800
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Fiat Tipo ages
Each point is the share of Fiat Tipos of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Fiat Tipo | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 18.8% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 22.3% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 26.7% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 29.1% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 31.5% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 26.6% | 25.5% |
By year
The best and worst Fiat Tipo years
2020 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 367 | 24.8% | 112% more fails | 23,776 |
| 2020 Tipo | 1,591 | 15.9% | 30% more fails | 27,270 |
| 2019 Tipo | 4,202 | 20.1% | 50% more fails | 31,322 |
| 2018 Tipo | 6,734 | 23.8% | 57% more fails | 37,594 |
| 2017 Tipo | 20,234 | 28.6% | 54% more fails | 52,110 |
| 2016 Tipo | 3,891 | 27.3% | 37% more fails | 51,031 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Fiat Tipo
Its weak spot is suspension: 222% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension8.8%222% above avg
- Tyres6.9%27% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.8%77% above avg
- Lights and electrics5.7%27% above avg
- Brakes5.3%61% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.2%82% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.8%6% below avg
- Wheels0.3%16% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.3%18% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.55% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.94% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 3
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.9% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 4
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 2.87% of tests
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
- 5
Coil spring fractured or broken 2.68% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 6
Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint worn 1.5% of tests
A worn linkage ball joint can rattle, affect handling and eventually fail, so it should be replaced.
- 7
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.34% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 8
Dipped beam headlamp not working 1.18% 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 Tipo's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit17.28%
- Brake pads wearing thin9.68%
- Brake disc pitted or scored9.41%
- Shock absorber light oil misting9.21%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking5.53%
- Child seat limits belt inspection3.73%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Fiat Tipo
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 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
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.
- 4
Shock absorber serious fluid leak
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
- 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 Tipo covers about 8,800 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
- Petrol70%
- Diesel30%
- LPG0%
Most common colours
White, Grey, Black, Silver, Blue
Average engine size: 1.4 litres.
Compare
How the Fiat Tipo compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Honda Insight | 29.1% | 22% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mitsubishi Lancer | 33.2% | 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volkswagen Bora | 41.4% | 7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volkswagen Jetta | 35% | 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai Coupe | 48% | 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën DS4 | 42.3% | 33% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Fiat Tipo | 26.1% | 52% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family hatchback ranked in the family hatchback reliability index, or all Fiat models.
Questions
Fiat Tipo questions, answered
Is the Fiat Tipo reliable?
On MOT results, the Fiat Tipo is well below average: it fails 26.1% of first MOT tests, 52% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 65 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.
What fails most on a Fiat Tipo MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Fiat Tipo are wiper blade not clearing windscreen (3.55% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.94% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (2.9% of tests). By area, suspension fails 8.8% of its tests.
Which Fiat Tipo year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2020 cars do best (30% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2018 cars do worst (57% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Fiat Tipo do a year?
A typical Fiat Tipo covers about 8,800 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 Tipo 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.
Found a Fiat Tipo? Check it free.
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.