2012 Abarth 595 — MOT failures & pass rate
1,073 MOT tests on the 2012 Abarth 595 are in this dataset, and 79.1% of them passed. That is effectively the same as city cars of a similar age (20.9% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (10.3%) and lighting & signalling (8.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, pins and bushes and coil spring — headlamp aim alone was recorded 63 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 15.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 25.0% once past 90-120k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 29.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 19.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 22.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 10.3% | 110 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 8.3% | 89 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.2% | 56 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.2% | 45 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.8% | 41 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.8% | 41 |
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 | 63 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 46 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 38 |
| 4 | Washers | 37 |
| 5 | Joints | 34 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 28 |
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 | 29.0% | 311 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.1% | 280 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.0% | 215 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.1% | 65 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.5% | 38 |
| 6 | Other defects | 3.5% | 37 |
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 | 114 | 15.8% |
| 30-60k | 498 | 19.1% |
| 60-90k | 381 | 23.6% |
| 90-120k | 76 | 25.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 217 | 19.8% |
| 2022 | 203 | 17.7% |
| 2023 | 220 | 20.0% |
| 2024 | 218 | 24.3% |
| 2025 | 215 | 22.3% |
What to check before buying a 2012 595
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 10.3% of tests. Start there.
- 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.
- Lighting & signalling (8.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (5.2% 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 2012 Abarth 595s pass their MOT?
79.1% of the 1,073 2012 Abarth 595 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Abarth 595?
Suspension, recorded in 10.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (8.3%).
Does the 2012 595 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.8% in the 0-30k band to 25.0% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,073 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.