2013 Fiat 500C — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 12,554 MOT tests analysed for the 2013 Fiat 500C, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and tyres. Its pass rate of 78.7% was below the average for cars of a similar age (80.9%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 23.8% in the 120-150k group versus 12.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 11.7% | 1,466 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 10.1% | 1,273 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.5% | 690 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.7% | 463 |
| 5 | Brakes | 3.6% | 457 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.7% | 341 |
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 | 914 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 854 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 417 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 314 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 294 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 291 |
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 | 32.9% | 4,130 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.7% | 3,599 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.9% | 2,127 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.6% | 1,208 |
| 5 | Other defects | 7.7% | 962 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 7.2% | 908 |
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 | 1,775 | 12.8% |
| 30-60k | 5,984 | 20.3% |
| 60-90k | 3,770 | 24.9% |
| 90-120k | 876 | 29.3% |
| 120-150k | 122 | 23.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 12,413 | 21.3% |
| Diesel | 141 | 22.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,446 | 19.3% |
| 2022 | 2,493 | 20.1% |
| 2023 | 2,509 | 20.2% |
| 2024 | 2,540 | 22.9% |
| 2025 | 2,566 | 23.7% |
What to check before buying a 2013 500C
Before buying a 2013 Fiat 500C, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 11.7% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (11.7% 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 (10.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (5.5% 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.
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 2013 Fiat 500Cs pass their MOT?
78.7% of the 12,554 2013 Fiat 500C MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Fiat 500C?
Suspension, recorded in 11.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (10.1%).
Does the 2013 500C get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.8% in the 0-30k band to 23.8% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 12,554 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.