2015 Fiat 500X — MOT failures & pass rate
42,898 MOT tests on the 2015 Fiat 500X are in this dataset, and 82.2% of them passed. Small SUVs of a similar age fail 16.5% of the time, so this is 1.3pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and steering.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (7.9%) and tyres (6.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, track rod end and tread depth — position lamp alone was recorded 2,718 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.1% in the 0-30k band and 25.0% in the 150k+ band, a 15.9-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.9pp more often than petrol ones (19.4% vs 16.5%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 29.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 13.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 22.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.9% | 3,376 |
| 2 | Tyres | 6.6% | 2,831 |
| 3 | Steering | 4.6% | 1,979 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.4% | 1,890 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.7% | 1,153 |
| 6 | Brakes | 2.7% | 1,152 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 2,718 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 2,436 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 1,630 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 1,016 |
| 5 | Washers | 939 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 726 |
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 | 29.4% | 12,599 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.6% | 9,271 |
| 3 | Other defects | 10.4% | 4,481 |
| 4 | Suspension | 9.8% | 4,199 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.4% | 2,754 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.0% | 1,308 |
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 | 2,839 | 9.1% |
| 30-60k | 20,922 | 15.3% |
| 60-90k | 15,315 | 21.1% |
| 90-120k | 3,332 | 24.9% |
| 120-150k | 400 | 23.8% |
| 150k+ | 88 | 25.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 23,644 | 16.5% |
| Diesel | 19,254 | 19.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,157 | 13.2% |
| 2022 | 8,369 | 15.0% |
| 2023 | 8,476 | 16.9% |
| 2024 | 8,928 | 20.7% |
| 2025 | 8,968 | 22.5% |
What to check before buying a 2015 500X
On a 2015 500X, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (7.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (6.6% 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.
- Steering (4.6% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
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 2015 Fiat 500Xs pass their MOT?
82.2% of the 42,898 2015 Fiat 500X MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 Fiat 500X?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.9% of tests, followed by tyres (6.6%).
Does the 2015 500X get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.1% in the 0-30k band to 25.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 42,898 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.