2021 Abarth 595 Esseesse — MOT failures & pass rate
265 MOT tests on the 2021 Abarth 595 Esseesse are in this dataset, and 91.3% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail at 8.7%, so the 2021 595 Esseesse sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.3%) and lighting & signalling (2.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, registration plates and tread depth — headlamp aim alone was recorded 10 times.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 17.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.3% | 14 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.6% | 7 |
| 3 | Suspension | 1.9% | 5 |
| 4 | Other defects | 1.5% | 4 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.5% | 4 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.1% | 3 |
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 | 10 |
| 2 | Registration plates | 7 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 6 |
| 4 | Washers | 3 |
| 5 | Headlamp levelling device | 3 |
| 6 | Wheel bearings | 2 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 17.4% | 46 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.9% | 29 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.7% | 15 |
| 4 | Other defects | 3.8% | 10 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.0% | 8 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.8% | 2 |
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 | 228 | 7.5% |
| 30-60k | 37 | 16.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 123 | 8.1% |
| 2025 | 139 | 9.3% |
What to check before buying a 2021 595 Esseesse
On a 2021 595 Esseesse, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (5.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (1.9% 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.
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 2021 Abarth 595 Esseesses pass their MOT?
91.3% of the 265 2021 Abarth 595 Esseesse MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Abarth 595 Esseesse?
Tyres, recorded in 5.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (2.6%).
Does the 2021 595 Esseesse get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.5% in the 0-30k band to 16.2% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 265 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.