2011 Abarth 500 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,555 MOT tests, the 2011 Abarth 500 recorded a 76.8% pass rate. City cars of a similar age fail at 22.6%, so the 2011 500 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.2%) and suspension (11.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, shock absorbers and joints — headlamp aim alone was recorded 362 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 13.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 24.5% once past 120-150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 33.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.2% | 675 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.5% | 637 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.1% | 284 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.1% | 283 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.0% | 280 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.0% | 223 |
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 | 362 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 284 |
| 3 | Joints | 242 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 209 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 207 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 164 |
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 | 33.7% | 1,870 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.1% | 1,393 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.9% | 1,160 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.3% | 575 |
| 5 | Other defects | 5.9% | 328 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 5.7% | 318 |
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 | 345 | 13.9% |
| 30-60k | 1,659 | 22.4% |
| 60-90k | 2,419 | 23.7% |
| 90-120k | 945 | 25.7% |
| 120-150k | 155 | 24.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,149 | 23.2% |
| 2022 | 1,143 | 22.9% |
| 2023 | 1,100 | 22.3% |
| 2024 | 1,118 | 23.8% |
| 2025 | 1,045 | 23.7% |
What to check before buying a 2011 500
On a 2011 500, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.5% 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.
- Brakes (5.1% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2011 Abarth 500s pass their MOT?
76.8% of the 5,555 2011 Abarth 500 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Abarth 500?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.2% of tests, followed by suspension (11.5%).
Does the 2011 500 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.9% in the 0-30k band to 24.5% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,555 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.