2017 Abarth 595 — MOT failures & pass rate
17,847 MOT tests on the 2017 Abarth 595 are in this dataset, and 85.4% of them passed. That is 3.0 percentage points worse than city cars of a similar age, which fail at 11.6%. Failures cluster in suspension, tyres and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (5.4%) and tyres (4.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are shock absorbers, tread depth and wipers — shock absorbers alone was recorded 619 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 10.4% in the 0-30k band and 25.7% in the 90-120k band, a 15.3-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 21.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 11.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 16.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 5.4% | 960 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.9% | 880 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.3% | 594 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.2% | 574 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 3.2% | 570 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.8% | 320 |
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 | 619 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 518 |
| 3 | Wipers | 401 |
| 4 | Washers | 317 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 297 |
| 6 | Brake discs | 292 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 21.8% | 3,886 |
| 2 | Tyres | 20.5% | 3,663 |
| 3 | Suspension | 16.4% | 2,922 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.9% | 868 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.1% | 551 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.9% | 526 |
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 | 7,000 | 10.4% |
| 30-60k | 8,996 | 16.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,653 | 21.2% |
| 90-120k | 171 | 25.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,593 | 11.8% |
| 2022 | 3,572 | 13.4% |
| 2023 | 3,618 | 15.8% |
| 2024 | 3,543 | 15.8% |
| 2025 | 3,521 | 16.5% |
What to check before buying a 2017 595
On a 2017 595, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (5.4% 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 (4.9% 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.
- Visibility (3.3% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 2017 Abarth 595s pass their MOT?
85.4% of the 17,847 2017 Abarth 595 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Abarth 595?
Suspension, recorded in 5.4% of tests, followed by tyres (4.9%).
Does the 2017 595 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.4% in the 0-30k band to 25.7% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 17,847 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.