2017 Abarth 695 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 649 MOT tests, the 2017 Abarth 695 recorded an 89.2% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (12.7% fail rate), the 2017 695 comes out 1.9pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.0%) and brakes (2.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, tread depth and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 13 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.2% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 14.0% once past 60-90k — 2.3× the risk.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 18.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 8.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 11.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.0% | 26 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.9% | 19 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.8% | 18 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 2.0% | 13 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.0% | 13 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.4% | 9 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 13 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 11 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 9 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 8 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 8 |
| 6 | Wheel bearings | 8 |
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 | 18.6% | 121 |
| 2 | Tyres | 15.9% | 103 |
| 3 | Suspension | 14.9% | 97 |
| 4 | Other defects | 10.3% | 67 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.4% | 22 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.2% | 21 |
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 | 324 | 6.2% |
| 30-60k | 274 | 15.7% |
| 60-90k | 50 | 14.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 127 | 8.7% |
| 2022 | 140 | 11.4% |
| 2023 | 124 | 7.3% |
| 2024 | 132 | 15.2% |
| 2025 | 126 | 11.1% |
What to check before buying a 2017 695
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 4.0% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (4.0% 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.
- Brakes (2.9% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (2.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 695s pass their MOT?
89.2% of the 649 2017 Abarth 695 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Abarth 695?
Tyres, recorded in 4.0% of tests, followed by brakes (2.9%).
Does the 2017 695 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.2% in the 0-30k band to 14.0% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 649 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.