2019 Fiat 500 — MOT failures & pass rate
94,364 MOT tests on the 2019 Fiat 500 are in this dataset, and 90.3% of them passed. City cars of a similar age fail at 8.7%, so the 2019 500 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.8%) and visibility (3.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, pins and bushes and washers — wipers alone was recorded 2,112 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.1% in the 0-30k band and 22.5% in the 90-120k band, a 15.4-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 22.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 5.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 14.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.8% | 3,546 |
| 2 | Visibility | 3.3% | 3,122 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.8% | 2,668 |
| 4 | Suspension | 2.8% | 2,641 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.9% | 1,775 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.7% | 615 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 2,112 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 1,810 |
| 3 | Washers | 1,699 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 1,514 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 1,101 |
| 6 | Brake discs | 914 |
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% | 20,803 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.4% | 13,631 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.5% | 7,126 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.9% | 4,631 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.2% | 2,097 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.2% | 2,087 |
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 | 67,323 | 7.1% |
| 30-60k | 25,035 | 15.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,845 | 22.0% |
| 90-120k | 111 | 22.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 909 | 5.4% |
| 2022 | 22,689 | 5.7% |
| 2023 | 23,150 | 7.7% |
| 2024 | 23,219 | 11.1% |
| 2025 | 24,397 | 14.0% |
What to check before buying a 2019 500
On a 2019 500, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (3.8% 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.
- 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 2019 Fiat 500s pass their MOT?
90.3% of the 94,364 2019 Fiat 500 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Fiat 500?
Tyres, recorded in 3.8% of tests, followed by visibility (3.3%).
Does the 2019 500 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.1% in the 0-30k band to 22.5% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 94,364 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.