2018 Abarth 695 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2018 Abarth 695 passed 90.3% of its 1,448 recorded MOT tests. That is 1.3 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 11.0%. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.7%) and visibility (2.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, washers and tread depth — headlamp aim alone was recorded 23 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.9% in the 0-30k band and 15.2% in the 60-90k band, a 7.2-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 18.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 5.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 11.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.7% | 53 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.4% | 34 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.3% | 33 |
| 4 | Suspension | 2.1% | 31 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.1% | 30 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.2% | 18 |
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 | 23 |
| 2 | Washers | 21 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 19 |
| 4 | Wipers | 18 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 16 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 16 |
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 | 18.9% | 274 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.8% | 228 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.2% | 89 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.3% | 76 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.9% | 27 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.8% | 11 |
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 | 1,086 | 7.9% |
| 30-60k | 327 | 15.0% |
| 60-90k | 33 | 15.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 294 | 5.1% |
| 2022 | 295 | 7.8% |
| 2023 | 289 | 11.1% |
| 2024 | 291 | 12.7% |
| 2025 | 279 | 11.8% |
What to check before buying a 2018 695
On a 2018 695, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (3.7% 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 (2.4% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.3% 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 2018 Abarth 695s pass their MOT?
90.3% of the 1,448 2018 Abarth 695 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Abarth 695?
Tyres, recorded in 3.7% of tests, followed by visibility (2.4%).
Does the 2018 695 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.9% in the 0-30k band to 15.2% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,448 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.