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Fiat Bravo reliability

D · Below average

MOT pass rates and common problems from 67,947 MOT tests of cars first registered 2007–2012.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
51.8%pass first time
−7.3 ptsvs typical car
Beats 22%of cars
67,947MOT tests

Verdict

The Fiat Bravo passes its MOT first time on 51.8% of tests, 7.3 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (59.1%). That puts it ahead of 22% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

Watch these weak spots

Suspension1.4×as often as a typical car
Brakes1.4×as often as a typical car
Coil springs2.3×as often as a typical car
Exhaust system2.9×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.

45%50%55%60%65%70%8910111213141516171860%53%52%50%50%48%
Fiat BravoTypical 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.

2007
Beats 28%
2008
Beats 19%
2009
Beats 18%
2010
Beats 22%
2011
Beats 16%
2012
Beats 18%

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 Petrol2007–201143,67852.0%Beats 20%D
1.9 Diesel2007–200811,76348.3%Beats 23%D
1.6 Diesel2008–201211,23255.2%Beats 26%D
2.0 Diesel2009–20091,27450.4%Beats 21%D

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: 9.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.0% 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: 20.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 15.4% 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: 16.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 18.9% 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: 9.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.8% 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: 14.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 10.1% 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: 16.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 18.9% 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+2.6 ptsTyres: 9.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.8% 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−1.9 ptsBrakes: 14.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 10.1% 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−4.0 ptsSuspension: 20.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 15.4% 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−5.5 ptsExhaust: 9.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.0% 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−4.0 ptsSuspension: 20.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 15.4% 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: 14.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 10.1% 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: 9.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.8% 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: 16.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 18.9% 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: 9.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.0% 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: 16.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 18.9% 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+2.6 ptsTyres: 9.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.8% 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−1.9 ptsBrakes: 14.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 10.1% 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−4.0 ptsSuspension: 20.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 15.4% 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−5.5 ptsExhaust: 9.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.0% 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−4.0 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Suspension: 20.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 15.4% 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.

Every MOT area

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

Suspension
20.8% vs 15.4%
Lights & electrics
16.4% vs 18.9%
Brakes
14.2% vs 10.1%
Body & structure
10.8% vs 5.5%
Tyres
9.7% vs 7.8%
Emissions & leaks
9.0% vs 5.0%
Visibility
8.6% vs 6.4%
Steering
5.1% vs 2.7%
Seat belts & airbags
1.5% vs 1.4%
Wheels
0.3% vs 0.5%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Coil springs 2.3× typical
    Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps.
  • Exhaust system 2.9× typical
    Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look for heavy corrosion underneath.
  • Brake pads 2.1× typical
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Track rod ends 2.3× typical
    Feel for play or knocking in the steering and check for wear on the inner edges of the front tyres.
  • Windscreen washers 1.8× typical
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • Handbrake performance 2.0× typical
    Check the handbrake holds the car firmly on a slope.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

40%50%60%70%80%30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k72%59%52%49%47%45%
Fiat BravoTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Coil springs9.6%4.2%2.3×
Exhaust system5.8%2.0%2.9×
Windscreen washers5.3%2.9%1.8×
Tyre damage & cracking5.2%3.9%1.3×
Brake lights5.0%3.8%1.3×
Brake pads4.8%2.2%2.1×
Track rod ends4.2%1.9%2.3×
Handbrake performance4.2%2.1%2.0×
Tyre tread depth4.1%3.4%1.2×
Headlight bulbs & units3.9%3.3%1.2×

Specific defects found

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

Defectper 1,000
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened95.6
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn70.5
Exhaust system leaking or insecure53.6
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen53.0
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm46.4
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning43.4
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements41.3
A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play40.3
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.

2012 Fiat Bravo1 engine61.0% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel1,59161.0%Beats 18%E
2011 Fiat Bravo2 engines57.4% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel2,15356.0%Beats 16%E
1.4 Petrol1,39259.6%Beats 16%E
2010 Fiat Bravo2 engines56.0% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.4 Petrol3,96756.1%Beats 19%E
1.6 Diesel1,83455.8%Beats 28%D
2009 Fiat Bravo3 engines52.4% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.4 Petrol10,47252.0%Beats 15%E
1.6 Diesel3,02554.9%Beats 33%D
2.0 Diesel1,27450.4%Beats 21%D
2008 Fiat Bravo3 engines49.6% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.4 Petrol14,51750.4%Beats 19%E
1.9 Diesel5,38847.0%Beats 17%E
1.6 Diesel2,62950.9%Beats 30%D
2007 Fiat Bravo2 engines51.0% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.4 Petrol13,33051.7%Beats 28%D
1.9 Diesel6,37549.5%Beats 27%D

FAQ

What is the Fiat Bravo MOT pass rate?

51.8% of MOT tests on the Fiat Bravo were passed first time, based on 67,947 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2007–2012. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 59.1% of the time.

Is the Fiat Bravo 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 22% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Fiat Bravo?

The most common failure items are coil springs, exhaust system, windscreen washers. Compared with similar cars, coil springs comes up 2.3× 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.