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Fiat 500X reliability

D · Below average

MOT pass rates and common problems from 245,366 MOT tests of cars first registered 2015–2022.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
79.2%pass first time
−2.1 ptsvs typical car
Beats 31%of cars
245,366MOT tests

Verdict

The Fiat 500X passes its MOT first time on 79.2% of tests, 2.1 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (81.4%). That puts it ahead of 31% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2015 500X does best (beats 32% of cars) and the 2016 worst (beats 23%).

Of its engines, the 1.0 Petrol does best (beats 58%) and the 1.6 Petrol worst (beats 17%).

Better than average on visibility, brakes.

Watch these weak spots

Lights & electrics1.4×as often as a typical car
Steering5.7×as often as a typical car
Sidelights7.0×as often as a typical car
Track rod ends6.4×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

60%70%80%90%100%3456789101189%88%85%81%77%72%68%65%64%
Fiat 500XTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2015
Beats 32%
2016
Beats 23%
2017
Beats 27%
2018
Beats 58%
2019
Beats 72%
2020
Beats 58%
2021
Beats 58%
2022
Beats 26%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.4 Petrol2015–201884,96280.3%Beats 44%C
1.6 Diesel2015–201865,99874.8%Beats 18%E
1.6 Petrol2015–201841,09378.0%Beats 17%E
1.0 Petrol2018–202227,42486.7%Beats 58%C
2.0 Diesel2015–201613,31776.6%Beats 23%D
1.3 Petrol2018–20219,63490.2%Beats 85%A
1.2 Diesel2016–20162,93873.9%Beats 12%E

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 2.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 3.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 3.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 7.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 5.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 6.6% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 2.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 7.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 5.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−2.2 ptsTyres: 6.6% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−1.0 ptsBrakes: 2.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+1.4 ptsSuspension: 3.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 3.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+0.5 ptsExhaust: 2.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−1.0 ptsSuspension: 3.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 3.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 2.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 6.6% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 7.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 5.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 2.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 7.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 5.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−2.2 ptsTyres: 6.6% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−1.0 ptsBrakes: 2.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+1.4 ptsSuspension: 3.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 3.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+0.5 ptsExhaust: 2.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−1.0 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Lights: 7.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 5.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
7.2% vs 5.0%
Tyres
6.6% vs 5.6%
Steering
4.0% vs 0.7%
Suspension
3.1% vs 3.6%
Visibility
2.6% vs 3.5%
Emissions & leaks
2.3% vs 1.3%
Brakes
2.1% vs 3.5%
Body & structure
1.0% vs 1.0%
Seat belts & airbags
0.3% vs 0.4%
Wheels
0.0% vs 0.2%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Sidelights 7.0× typical
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Track rod ends 6.4× typical
    Feel for play or knocking in the steering and check for wear on the inner edges of the front tyres.
  • Tyre tread depth 1.4× typical
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
  • Anti-roll bar links 5.2× typical
    A knock or rattle over uneven roads usually means worn anti-roll bar links (cheap to fix).
  • Engine warning light 2.0× typical
    The engine warning light should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts. If it stays on, get the fault codes read before you buy.
  • Windscreen washers 1.5× typical
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k95%88%78%70%64%61%
Fiat 500XTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Sidelights4.7%0.7%7.0×
Track rod ends3.9%0.6%6.4×
Tyre damage & cracking3.4%3.1%1.1×
Tyre tread depth2.8%1.9%1.4×
Windscreen washers2.0%1.4%1.5×
Headlight aim1.4%1.8%0.8×
Engine warning light1.3%0.6%2.0×
Brake pads1.0%1.8%0.6×
Anti-roll bar links0.9%0.2%5.2×
Tyre pressure warning (TPMS)0.8%0.8%1.1×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning45.6
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc31.2
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements28.1
A tyre seriously damaged20.8
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen20.0
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction17.1
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn16.8
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements13.6
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2022 Fiat 500X1 engine87.7% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.0 Petrol1,09987.7%Beats 26%D
2021 Fiat 500X2 engines88.2% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.0 Petrol4,20087.6%Beats 54%C
1.3 Petrol1,08790.5%Beats 72%B
2020 Fiat 500X2 engines87.9% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.0 Petrol5,56686.6%Beats 45%C
1.3 Petrol2,55990.5%Beats 81%A
2019 Fiat 500X2 engines87.8% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.0 Petrol10,66286.8%Beats 65%B
1.3 Petrol4,60490.2%Beats 88%A
2018 Fiat 500X5 engines85.6% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.0 Petrol5,89785.9%Beats 58%C
1.6 Petrol3,85384.5%Beats 50%C
1.4 Petrol2,95287.4%Beats 75%B
1.6 Diesel1,89080.7%Beats 23%D
1.3 Petrol1,38489.6%Beats 87%A
2017 Fiat 500X3 engines80.5% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.4 Petrol13,80982.1%Beats 37%D
1.6 Petrol10,59580.2%Beats 22%D
1.6 Diesel6,40977.5%Beats 20%D
2016 Fiat 500X5 engines77.3% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.4 Petrol35,60480.8%Beats 46%C
1.6 Diesel34,16774.6%Beats 16%E
1.6 Petrol24,59376.1%Beats 12%E
2.0 Diesel9,64777.5%Beats 26%D
1.2 Diesel2,93873.9%Beats 12%E
2015 Fiat 500X4 engines76.2% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.4 Petrol32,59778.2%Beats 42%C
1.6 Diesel23,53273.8%Beats 23%D
2.0 Diesel3,67074.3%Beats 18%E
1.6 Petrol2,05276.2%Beats 23%D

FAQ

What is the Fiat 500X MOT pass rate?

79.2% of MOT tests on the Fiat 500X were passed first time, based on 245,366 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2015–2022. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 81.4% of the time.

Is the Fiat 500X reliable?

On MOT results it rates D (below average): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 31% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Fiat 500X year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2015 500X does best for its age and mileage: it beats 32% of cars on UK roads. The 2016 does worst: it beats 23%.

Which Fiat 500X engine is best?

Across all years, the 1.0 Petrol does best: it beats 58% of cars on UK roads. The 1.6 Petrol does worst: it beats 17%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Fiat 500X?

The most common failure items are sidelights, track rod ends, tyre damage & cracking. Compared with similar cars, sidelights comes up 7.0× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.