2021 Abarth 595C — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 616 MOT tests, the 2021 Abarth 595C recorded an 89.8% pass rate. That is 1.6 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 8.6%. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 6.2% of all tests — 3.7 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and washers — tread depth alone was recorded 26 times.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 22.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.2% | 38 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.4% | 15 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.3% | 14 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.8% | 11 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.5% | 9 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.7% | 4 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 26 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 14 |
| 3 | Washers | 9 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 7 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 5 |
| 6 | Macpherson strut | 5 |
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 | 22.1% | 136 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.1% | 87 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.7% | 35 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.2% | 26 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.5% | 9 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.7% | 4 |
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 | 541 | 8.9% |
| 30-60k | 75 | 20.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 289 | 7.6% |
| 2025 | 314 | 12.7% |
What to check before buying a 2021 595C
On a 2021 595C, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (6.2% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (2.3% 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 2021 Abarth 595Cs pass their MOT?
89.8% of the 616 2021 Abarth 595C MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Abarth 595C?
Tyres, recorded in 6.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (2.4%).
Does the 2021 595C get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.9% in the 0-30k band to 20.0% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 616 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.