2011 Fiat 500L — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,346 MOT tests, the 2011 Fiat 500L recorded a 74.0% pass rate. That is 1.7 percentage points worse than MPVs of a similar age, which fail at 24.3%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.3%) and suspension (12.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are shock absorbers, pins and bushes and catalyst emissions — shock absorbers alone was recorded 160 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2011 500L fails 19.1% of the time in the 0-30k band and 21.6% at 120-150k, a spread of only 2.5 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 33.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 25.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 27.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.3% | 289 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.0% | 281 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 7.0% | 164 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.5% | 129 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.2% | 121 |
| 6 | Brakes | 4.9% | 115 |
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 | 160 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 160 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 130 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 104 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 101 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 83 |
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 | 33.5% | 785 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.1% | 658 |
| 3 | Brakes | 19.3% | 452 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.6% | 365 |
| 5 | Other defects | 9.2% | 215 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 8.9% | 210 |
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 | 131 | 19.1% |
| 30-60k | 825 | 22.9% |
| 60-90k | 1,048 | 28.0% |
| 90-120k | 293 | 31.1% |
| 120-150k | 37 | 21.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 508 | 25.0% |
| 2022 | 481 | 25.2% |
| 2023 | 495 | 27.5% |
| 2024 | 446 | 25.1% |
| 2025 | 416 | 27.2% |
What to check before buying a 2011 500L
On a 2011 500L, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.0% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (7.0% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 500Ls pass their MOT?
74.0% of the 2,346 2011 Fiat 500L MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Fiat 500L?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.3% of tests, followed by suspension (12.0%).
Does the 2011 500L get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.1% in the 0-30k band to 21.6% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,346 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.