MOT performance
Fiat 500L MOT pass rate and common failures
Across 35,150 MOT tests of the Fiat 500L in 2023–2024, 65.6% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, Fiat 500Ls failed 30% more often than comparable cars. The most common failure item was “coil spring: fractured or broken”, on 6.24% of tests.
35,150 MOT tests on 17,593 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 65.6% | ±0.5 pts (95%), n = 35,150 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 1.30× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 8.9% | n = 35,150 |
| Average age at test | 8.5 years | n = 35,150 |
| Median mileage at test | 63,465 miles | n = 35,150 |
| Vehicles tested | 17,593 | 2023–2024 |
Where Fiat 500Ls fail
The share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Areas where the difference is large and clear link to their own page.
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 12.5% | +64% |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 11.1% | +26% |
| Brakes | 7.9% | +39% |
| Tyres | 6.8% | +4% |
| Driver's view of the road | 4.5% | +16% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.4% | +54% |
| Steering | 3.3% | +98% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 2.4% | +1% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.3% | +103% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.2% | -37% |
| Road wheels | 0.1% | -85% |
Fiat 500L MOT pass rate by fuel: diesel vs petrol
Raw pass rates partly reflect how old each fuel's cars are; the adjusted column compares each with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Fuels that differ materially from the model as a whole have their own page.
| Fuel | Tests | Average age | First-time pass | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 24,084 | 8.7 yrs | 64.1% | +32% |
| Petrol | 11,062 | 7.9 yrs | 68.6% | +25% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Suspension | 6.24% |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 4.29% |
| Stop lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 3.74% |
| Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements | Brakes | 2.96% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 2.94% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | Driver's view of the road | 2.23% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 2.16% |
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 1.94% |
| Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | Steering | 1.56% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | Driver's view of the road | 1.54% |
Most common advisories
Advisories are items the tester expects to need attention soon; they don't fail the test.
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 16.65% |
| Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 12.22% |
| Condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 11.47% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 8.43% |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 5.39% |
Pass rate by age
| Age at test (years) | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 762 | 78.6% | +74% |
| 5-6 | 3,209 | 72.8% | +58% |
| 7-8 | 10,690 | 68.0% | +37% |
| 9-10 | 18,607 | 62.5% | +25% |
| 11-12 | 1,635 | 62.1% | +10% |
Pass rate by registration year
| Registered | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 318 | 80.8% | 1.51× |
| 2018 | 1,209 | 73.2% | 1.76× |
| 2017 | 1,771 | 69.8% | 1.68× |
| 2016 | 3,268 | 70.4% | 1.43× |
| 2015 | 5,979 | 66.7% | 1.37× |
| 2014 | 13,774 | 63.9% | 1.26× |
| 2013 | 8,447 | 62.6% | 1.19× |
Years with fewer tests are shown for completeness; only years with enough tests have their own page.
Check a specific Fiat 500L
Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
UK number plate or 17-character VIN
About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.