2013 Abarth 500 — MOT failures & pass rate
3,345 MOT tests on the 2013 Abarth 500 are in this dataset, and 78.8% of them passed. Against city cars of a similar age (19.1% fail rate), the 2013 500 comes out 2.1pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (10.3%) and suspension (10.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are shock absorbers, headlamp aim and pins and bushes — shock absorbers alone was recorded 171 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 11.5% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 25.0% once past 120-150k — 2.2× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 33.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 20.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 22.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.3% | 343 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.3% | 343 |
| 3 | Tyres | 6.3% | 211 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.0% | 134 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.4% | 115 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.5% | 82 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shock absorbers | 171 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 160 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 135 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 106 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 105 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 100 |
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% | 1,104 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.9% | 899 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.1% | 771 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.6% | 253 |
| 5 | Other defects | 5.7% | 191 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 5.5% | 184 |
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 | 261 | 11.5% |
| 30-60k | 1,366 | 19.0% |
| 60-90k | 1,352 | 23.9% |
| 90-120k | 308 | 26.0% |
| 120-150k | 32 | 25.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 693 | 20.1% |
| 2022 | 666 | 19.2% |
| 2023 | 682 | 22.6% |
| 2024 | 654 | 21.1% |
| 2025 | 650 | 22.9% |
What to check before buying a 2013 500
On a 2013 500, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (10.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.3% 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.
- Tyres (6.3% 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 2013 Abarth 500s pass their MOT?
78.8% of the 3,345 2013 Abarth 500 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Abarth 500?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.3% of tests, followed by suspension (10.3%).
Does the 2013 500 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.5% in the 0-30k band to 25.0% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,345 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.