2016 Abarth 124 Spider Multiair — MOT failures & pass rate
938 MOT tests on the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider Multiair are in this dataset, and 92.5% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (14.5% fail rate), the 2016 124 Spider Multiair comes out 7.0pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (3.1%) and visibility (2.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, headlamp aim and coil spring — wipers alone was recorded 16 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 22.7% once past 60-90k — 3.7× the risk.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 17.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 4.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 11.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 3.1% | 29 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.2% | 21 |
| 3 | Tyres | 2.0% | 19 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.9% | 18 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.5% | 14 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.9% | 8 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 16 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 16 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 10 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 9 |
| 5 | Washers | 8 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 7 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 17.7% | 166 |
| 2 | Tyres | 14.1% | 132 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.3% | 50 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.5% | 23 |
| 5 | Other defects | 1.2% | 11 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.2% | 11 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 592 | 6.1% |
| 30-60k | 300 | 8.0% |
| 60-90k | 44 | 22.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 193 | 4.7% |
| 2022 | 196 | 8.7% |
| 2023 | 185 | 6.5% |
| 2024 | 174 | 6.3% |
| 2025 | 190 | 11.1% |
What to check before buying a 2016 124 Spider Multiair
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 3.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (3.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (2.2% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Tyres (2.0% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2016 Abarth 124 Spider Multiairs pass their MOT?
92.5% of the 938 2016 Abarth 124 Spider Multiair MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Abarth 124 Spider Multiair?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 3.1% of tests, followed by visibility (2.2%).
Does the 2016 124 Spider Multiair get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.1% in the 0-30k band to 22.7% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 938 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.