2017 Abarth 595C — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,107 MOT tests, the 2017 Abarth 595C recorded an 86.5% pass rate. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (12.7% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.2%) and suspension (4.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, shock absorbers and pins and bushes — wipers alone was recorded 66 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 10.2% in the 0-30k band and 22.4% in the 60-90k band, a 12.2-point spread — more than double.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 23.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 11.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 15.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.2% | 110 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.6% | 97 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.8% | 80 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.2% | 68 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 3.1% | 65 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.4% | 29 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 66 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 56 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 53 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 50 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 45 |
| 6 | Washers | 39 |
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 | 23.6% | 497 |
| 2 | Tyres | 20.9% | 441 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.3% | 239 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.7% | 121 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.0% | 63 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.6% | 34 |
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 | 1,205 | 10.2% |
| 30-60k | 759 | 17.0% |
| 60-90k | 116 | 22.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 410 | 11.2% |
| 2022 | 422 | 12.3% |
| 2023 | 421 | 12.8% |
| 2024 | 431 | 15.8% |
| 2025 | 423 | 15.1% |
What to check before buying a 2017 595C
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.2% of tests. Start there.
- 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.
- Suspension (4.6% 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.
- Visibility (3.8% 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 595Cs pass their MOT?
86.5% of the 2,107 2017 Abarth 595C MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Abarth 595C?
Tyres, recorded in 5.2% of tests, followed by suspension (4.6%).
Does the 2017 595C get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.2% in the 0-30k band to 22.4% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,107 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.