Verdict
Fiat cars and vans pass their MOT first time on 66.8% of tests, against 72.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. That beats only 19% of cars on UK roads and ranks Fiat 35th of 40 makes, clearly behind Ford and Alfa Romeo.
The 500, about two in five Fiat tests, beats only 12% of cars, and the 500C 10%. The Panda beats 20% and the Punto 18%. Among Fiat's cars, the 500X (2015 on) does best, beating 31%. Only the Ducato van, at 55%, beats more than half of cars.
Check most carefully: the Tipo beats only 4% of cars, the Fiorino van and the 500C 10%, and the 500 and 500L 12%.
Suspension is the weak spot: it fails on about 13% of tests, about 1.5 times as often as on a typical car of the same age and mileage. Emissions and leaks and body and structure also fail about 1.5 times as often. Vans such as the Fiorino and Scudo (beats 23%) pull the make down, partly from hard commercial use, but the Ducato is about average and most Fiat cars do worse than typical too.
Where it fails
Every Fiat compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage.
Every MOT area
Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).
Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.
Fiat models
Models with 20,000+ MOT tests, 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. Light vans are included and tend to grade lower, partly from hard commercial use.
| Model first registered | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 2007–2023 | 69.9% | Beats 12% | E |
| Punto 1998–2018 | 54.7% | Beats 18% | E |
| Panda 2004–2022 | 65.5% | Beats 20% | D |
| Ducato 1988–2023 | 72.2% | Beats 55% | C |
| Doblo 2002–2022 | 64.6% | Beats 28% | D |
| 500X 2015–2022 | 79.2% | Beats 31% | D |
| 500L 2011–2018 | 68.4% | Beats 12% | E |
| 500C 2009–2018 | 69.9% | Beats 10% | E |
| Scudo 2003–2022 | 51.0% | Beats 23% | D |
| Tipo 2016–2021 | 74.6% | Beats 4% | E |
| Bravo 2007–2012 | 51.8% | Beats 22% | D |
| Fiorino 2009–2021 | 61.9% | Beats 10% | E |
| Qubo 2009–2015 | 64.7% | Beats 23% | D |
| Seicento 1999–2003 | 50.7% | Beats 12% | E |
FAQ
What is the Fiat MOT pass rate?
66.8% of Fiat MOT tests were passed first time, from 6.4 million tests. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 72.4%, so Fiats do clearly worse than typical.
Are Fiats reliable?
On MOT results they are well below average: Fiat beats only 19% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account, and ranks 35th of 40 makes. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.
Is the Fiat 500 reliable?
The 500, the most common Fiat, beats only 12% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account. The 500C beats 10%, the 500L 12% and the 500X 31%.
Which Fiat model is most reliable?
Among Fiat's cars, the 500X does best, beating 31% of cars on UK roads. Only the Ducato van does better, beating 55%.
What do Fiats fail their MOT on?
Suspension and lights and electrics (each on about 13% of tests), then brakes and tyres. Suspension fails about 1.5 times as often as on a typical car of the same age and mileage.