2010 Abarth 500 — MOT failures & pass rate
5,882 MOT tests on the 2010 Abarth 500 are in this dataset, and 76.8% of them passed. Against city cars of a similar age (24.3% fail rate), the 2010 500 comes out 1.1pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.8%) and suspension (11.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, joints and shock absorbers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 434 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 30.3% versus 9.5%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 33.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.8% | 751 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.8% | 696 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.9% | 345 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.6% | 330 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.4% | 319 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.9% | 228 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 434 |
| 2 | Joints | 290 |
| 3 | Shock absorbers | 276 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 272 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 250 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 196 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 33.0% | 1,938 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.4% | 1,554 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.5% | 1,324 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.3% | 663 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 6.7% | 396 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.0% | 351 |
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 | 316 | 9.5% |
| 30-60k | 1,480 | 20.0% |
| 60-90k | 2,327 | 25.3% |
| 90-120k | 1,438 | 25.2% |
| 120-150k | 278 | 26.6% |
| 150k+ | 33 | 30.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,208 | 22.6% |
| 2022 | 1,199 | 23.0% |
| 2023 | 1,174 | 22.2% |
| 2024 | 1,185 | 25.2% |
| 2025 | 1,116 | 22.9% |
What to check before buying a 2010 500
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.8% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Body, structure & corrosion (5.9% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 2010 Abarth 500s pass their MOT?
76.8% of the 5,882 2010 Abarth 500 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Abarth 500?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.8% of tests, followed by suspension (11.8%).
Does the 2010 500 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.5% in the 0-30k band to 30.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,882 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.