Ranked by MOT fails against cars the same age and mileage, 3 to 15 years old

Fiat models ranked by MOT fails

Q: Which Fiat models have the fewest MOT fails?

10,464 MOT tests at 4 to 8 years put the Fiat 124 Spider first: about as many MOT fails as cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.96). Next is the Fiat 500X: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.18).

Q: Which Fiat models fail their MOT most often?

49,050 MOT tests at 3 to 9 years put the Fiat Tipo last of the 8 in this list: 53% more MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage.

Q: How many Fiat models are compared?

8 models with at least 1,000 MOT tests at each age counted, 2,123,387 MOT tests in all; 0 fail at least 20% less often than cars the same age and mileage and 4 at least 20% more often.

DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 2,123,387 MOT tests · Updated 7 Oct 2026

Fiat 124 Spider has the fewest MOT fails among Fiat models: about as many MOT fails as cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.96) (10,464 MOT tests) ^[1].

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8 models ranked, 0 with at least 20% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (95% interval, at 3 or more ages), from 2,123,387 MOT tests ^[1]
Fiat 500X is next: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.18) (138,193 MOT tests)
Fiat Tipo is last of the 8: 53% more MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (49,050 MOT tests)

Which year and engine a car has, and how it was kept, decide where one car sits in these ranges. Check the reg first.

Fail rates are for the model across its MOT tests, never a forecast for one car.

No model in this list clears the award rule (at least 20% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage, with the 95% interval, at 3 or more ages).

This is DVSA MOT data, not road tests, owner surveys or breakdown records, and nobody paid to be included. Each model is compared with all cars tested at the same age, in the same mileage band and in its own mix of test years, so a low-mileage model does not look better for its low mileage. "Most reliable" in our titles is measured as MOT failure rate at the same age and mileage, not breakdowns.

Fiat models: the ranking

Ranked by MOT fails against cars the same age and mileage, from 8 models with at least 1,000 MOT tests at each of 3 or more ages between 3 to 15 years (pooled). The range under each rank is where the model could sit once sampling error is allowed for. Each adjusted rate reads against its own all-car rate, because models are tested at different ages.

Top 8 of 8. Adjusted rate = the model's rate at typical mileage for its own ages, against all cars at those ages; raw = its own ages and mileage.
#95% range	Model	Against cars the same age and mileage	Adjusted rateits own ages, typical mileage	Rawits own ages and mileage	MOT tests	Next step
1certain	Fiat 124 Spidersports car	about averageratio 0.96 (0.92–1.01)	16.6%all cars: 17.2%	13.3%	10,464at 4 to 8 years	Fiat 124 Spider common problems
22–4	Fiat 500Xsmall SUV	close to averageratio 1.18 (1.16–1.19)	22.9%all cars: 19.5%	22.5%	138,193at 3 to 10 years	Fiat 500X MOT fail rate · Fiat 500X common problems
32–4	Fiat Pandacity car	close to averageratio 1.19 (1.19–1.20)	36.3%all cars: 30.4%	31.9%	287,380at 3 to 15 years	Fiat Panda MOT fail rate · Fiat Panda common problems
42–4	Fiat Bravofamily hatchback	close to averageratio 1.19 (1.18–1.21)	48.4%all cars: 40.5%	49.5%	14,814at 12 to 15 years	Fiat Bravo MOT fail rate · Fiat Bravo common problems
5certain	Fiat Puntosupermini	24% more fails (23–25% more)	43.9%all cars: 35.4%	42.6%	197,258at 5 to 15 years	Fiat Punto MOT fail rate · Fiat Punto common problems
66–7	Fiat 500city car	28% more fails (27.7–28.3% more)	33.7%all cars: 26.3%	30.6%	1,341,757at 3 to 15 years	Fiat 500 MOT fail rate · Fiat 500 common problems
76–7	Fiat 500LMPV	28% more fails (27–29% more)	35.0%all cars: 27.3%	34.8%	84,471at 4 to 12 years	Fiat 500L MOT fail rate · Fiat 500L common problems
8certain	Fiat Tipofamily hatchback	53% more fails (51–55% more)	25.4%all cars: 16.6%	26.2%	49,050at 3 to 9 years	Fiat Tipo MOT fail rate · Fiat Tipo common problems

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The top 8 in this list, model by model

1 · About average

Fiat 124 Spider

Why it ranks here: About as many MOT fails as cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.96, 95% CI 0.92–1.01), from 10,464 MOT tests at 4 to 8 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 16.6% (15.8%–17.4%), against 17.2% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 13.3%. Rank range 1–1.

Check before you buy: no part fails significantly more often than on cars the same age (ages 3 to 15).

Suits: buyers looking at a sports car; the ones tested were mostly petrol.

2 · About average

Fiat 500X

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.18, 95% CI 1.16–1.19), from 138,193 MOT tests at 3 to 10 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 22.9% (22.7%–23.1%), against 19.5% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 22.5%. Rank range 2–4.

Check before you buy: fails on steering 5.6–5.9× as often as cars the same age (6,421 fails in 139,151 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on emissions and leaks 1.8–1.9× as often as cars the same age (3,846 fails in 139,151 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on lights and electrics 1.4–1.5× as often as cars the same age (10,984 fails in 139,151 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a small SUV; the ones tested were 69% petrol, 31% diesel.

3 · About average

Fiat Panda

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.19, 95% CI 1.19–1.20), from 287,380 MOT tests at 3 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 36.3% (36.1%–36.5%), against 30.4% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 31.9%. Rank range 2–4.

Check before you buy: fails on suspension 1.4–1.5× as often as cars the same age (41,697 fails in 289,049 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on body and structure 1.2–1.3× as often as cars the same age (11,327 fails in 289,049 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a city car; the ones tested were mostly petrol.

4 · About average

Fiat Bravo

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.19, 95% CI 1.18–1.21), from 14,814 MOT tests at 12 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 48.4% (47.6%–49.1%), against 40.5% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 49.5%. Rank range 2–4.

Check before you buy: fails on body and structure 2.1–2.3× as often as cars the same age (1,855 fails in 15,233 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on steering 1.9–2.1× as often as cars the same age (892 fails in 15,233 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on emissions and leaks 1.8–2.0× as often as cars the same age (1,429 fails in 15,233 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a family hatchback; the ones tested were 64% petrol, 36% diesel.

5 · 24% more MOT fails

Fiat Punto

Why it ranks here: 24% more MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 1.24, 95% CI 1.23–1.25), from 197,258 MOT tests at 5 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 43.9% (43.6%–44.1%), against 35.4% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 42.6%. Rank range 5–5.

Check before you buy: fails on emissions and leaks 2.2–2.3× as often as cars the same age (17,454 fails in 201,661 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on steering 1.8–1.9× as often as cars the same age (9,153 fails in 201,661 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on body and structure 1.57–1.62× as often as cars the same age (13,410 fails in 201,661 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a supermini; the ones tested were mostly petrol.

6 · 28% more MOT fails

Fiat 500

Why it ranks here: 28% more MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 1.28, 95% CI 1.28–1.28), from 1,341,757 MOT tests at 3 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 33.7% (33.6%–33.8%), against 26.3% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 30.6%. Rank range 6–7.

Check before you buy: fails on suspension 1.71–1.72× as often as cars the same age (182,377 fails in 1,353,754 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on body and structure 1.30–1.33× as often as cars the same age (41,794 fails in 1,353,754 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on visibility 1.20–1.22× as often as cars the same age (66,776 fails in 1,353,754 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a city car; the ones tested were mostly petrol.

7 · 28% more MOT fails

Fiat 500L

Why it ranks here: 28% more MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 1.28, 95% CI 1.27–1.29), from 84,471 MOT tests at 4 to 12 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 35.0% (34.7%–35.3%), against 27.3% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 34.8%. Rank range 6–7.

Check before you buy: fails on seat belts and airbags 2.1–2.4× as often as cars the same age (1,100 fails in 85,411 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on steering 2.0–2.2× as often as cars the same age (2,924 fails in 85,411 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on suspension 1.59–1.64× as often as cars the same age (11,103 fails in 85,411 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at an MPV; the ones tested were 68% diesel, 32% petrol.

8 · 53% more MOT fails

Fiat Tipo

Why it ranks here: 53% more MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 1.53, 95% CI 1.51–1.55), from 49,050 MOT tests at 3 to 9 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 25.4% (25.0%–25.7%), against 16.6% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 26.2%. Rank range 8–8.

Check before you buy: fails on suspension 3.2–3.4× as often as cars the same age (4,471 fails in 49,704 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on emissions and leaks 1.8–2.1× as often as cars the same age (1,092 fails in 49,704 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on visibility 1.8–1.9× as often as cars the same age (2,922 fails in 49,704 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a family hatchback; the ones tested were 72% petrol, 28% diesel.

How to choose Fiat models with this list

Compare like with like: against cars the same age and mileage, this list runs from about average (Fiat 124 Spider) to 53% more (Fiat Tipo).
0 of the 8 fail at least 20% less often than cars the same age and mileage and 4 at least 20% more often; the other 4 are within that band, or too uncertain to say.
Look at what a model fails on: 7 of the 8 models above have a part that fails more often than on cars the same age.
Then check the one car: its own MOT history and advisories say more about it than its model's average.

Found one on the list? Check that car

A ranking compares models at the same age and mileage; it cannot say how one car was kept. A registration shows that car's own DVSA record: its MOT tests, the mileage at each test and the recall flag.

Free car check by registration The MOT record, the mileage readings and the recall flag in one overview, with how the model does at its MOT.
Check any car's MOT history Every MOT test, fail item, advisory and mileage reading DVSA holds for that registration.
Mileage check by registration The odometer reading from each MOT, with drops, jumps and long gaps flagged.

How we rank

2,123,387 MOT tests from 2022–2025 of cars 3 to 15 years old. For each model and age, the tests are split into 6 mileage bands (<30k, 30-60k, 60-90k, 90-120k, 120-150k, 150k+); the expected fails are what all cars of that age would fail in the same bands, corrected to the model's own mix of test years. The ratio of the model's fails to the expected fails sets its place. The adjusted rate is that ratio times the all-car rate at the model's own ages, so it reads against that rate: a model tested only at 3 to 5 years is compared with young cars, not with this list's average.

The 95% intervals cover sampling error only (Wilson intervals). A model is called fewer or more only when its interval is at least 20% from the all-car rate, overall and at 3 or more ages ("close to average" when the interval excludes the all-car rate by less); awards use the same rule. Test years: Each model's expected fails therefore use its own mix of test years 2022–2025, age by age; the mileage bands themselves pool the four years, which can leave a small bias in favour of models first sold late in the window. Generations of a model are pooled unless the data splits them; each row says which years it covers. How we compare

Limitation: MOT tests record roadworthiness defects on the test day. They do not record breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs, and they cannot separate design from upkeep: a model whose owners service it before every MOT looks better here. Only cars still on the road are tested.

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Questions people ask

Which Fiat models have the fewest MOT fails?

10,464 MOT tests at 4 to 8 years put the Fiat 124 Spider first: about as many MOT fails as cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.96). Next is the Fiat 500X: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.18).

Which Fiat models fail their MOT most often?

49,050 MOT tests at 3 to 9 years put the Fiat Tipo last of the 8 in this list: 53% more MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage.

How many Fiat models are compared?

8 models with at least 1,000 MOT tests at each age counted, 2,123,387 MOT tests in all; 0 fail at least 20% less often than cars the same age and mileage and 4 at least 20% more often.

Sources

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 2,123,387 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.