2019 Fiat 500L — MOT failures & pass rate
758 MOT tests on the 2019 Fiat 500L are in this dataset, and 86.5% of them passed. Against MPVs of a similar age (11.6% fail rate), the 2019 500L comes out 1.9pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, visibility and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (6.6%) and visibility (5.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, wipers and headlamp aim — coil spring alone was recorded 50 times.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 20.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 8.8% of tests failed in 2022 against 22.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 6.6% | 50 |
| 2 | Visibility | 5.8% | 44 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.2% | 32 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 3.8% | 29 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.1% | 8 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.9% | 7 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 50 |
| 2 | Wipers | 44 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 24 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 11 |
| 5 | Washers | 8 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 7 |
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 | 20.6% | 156 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.9% | 90 |
| 3 | Other defects | 7.8% | 59 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.0% | 23 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.6% | 20 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 9 |
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 | 477 | 9.4% |
| 30-60k | 247 | 20.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 677 | 13.2% |
| Diesel | 81 | 16.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 171 | 8.8% |
| 2023 | 178 | 9.6% |
| 2024 | 185 | 11.9% |
| 2025 | 212 | 22.2% |
What to check before buying a 2019 500L
On a 2019 500L, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (6.6% 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.
- Visibility (5.8% 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.
- Tyres (4.2% 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 2019 Fiat 500Ls pass their MOT?
86.5% of the 758 2019 Fiat 500L MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Fiat 500L?
Suspension, recorded in 6.6% of tests, followed by visibility (5.8%).
Does the 2019 500L get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.4% in the 0-30k band to 20.6% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 758 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.