2011 Fiat 500C — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 8,854 MOT tests analysed for the 2011 Fiat 500C, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 74.1% was below the average for cars of a similar age (78.1%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 31.8% in the 150k+ group versus 16.3% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.6% | 1,295 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.1% | 1,157 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.7% | 504 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.2% | 461 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.0% | 359 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.7% | 331 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shock absorbers | 970 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 601 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 426 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 317 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 275 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 238 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 37.8% | 3,346 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.4% | 2,515 |
| 3 | Brakes | 18.5% | 1,641 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.6% | 1,200 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 10.3% | 909 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 8.2% | 728 |
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 | 614 | 16.3% |
| 30-60k | 3,286 | 24.1% |
| 60-90k | 3,442 | 27.7% |
| 90-120k | 1,203 | 28.9% |
| 120-150k | 225 | 30.2% |
| 150k+ | 63 | 31.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 8,716 | 25.8% |
| Diesel | 138 | 31.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,785 | 25.0% |
| 2022 | 1,802 | 25.4% |
| 2023 | 1,796 | 25.7% |
| 2024 | 1,743 | 26.1% |
| 2025 | 1,728 | 27.3% |
What to check before buying a 2011 500C
Before buying a 2011 Fiat 500C, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 14.6% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (14.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (13.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (5.7% 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.
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 2011 Fiat 500Cs pass their MOT?
74.1% of the 8,854 2011 Fiat 500C MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Fiat 500C?
Suspension, recorded in 14.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.1%).
Does the 2011 500C get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.3% in the 0-30k band to 31.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,854 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.