2016 Fiat 500X — MOT failures & pass rate
81,441 MOT tests on the 2016 Fiat 500X are in this dataset, and 83.7% of them passed. That is 2.1 percentage points worse than small SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 14.2%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and steering.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (8.3%) and tyres (6.0%) 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 5,810 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.4% in the 0-30k band and 19.8% in the 150k+ band, a 11.4-point spread — more than double.
The petrol cars hold up better: 15.1% fail against 17.9% for diesel, a 2.8-point gap across 81,441 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 29.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 11.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 21.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.3% | 6,720 |
| 2 | Tyres | 6.0% | 4,929 |
| 3 | Steering | 4.4% | 3,560 |
| 4 | Suspension | 2.7% | 2,231 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.5% | 2,025 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.5% | 2,024 |
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 | 5,810 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 4,757 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 2,756 |
| 4 | Washers | 1,717 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 1,692 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 1,246 |
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 | 29.6% | 24,117 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.1% | 16,375 |
| 3 | Other defects | 9.9% | 8,079 |
| 4 | Suspension | 8.0% | 6,503 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.1% | 4,985 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.4% | 1,977 |
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 | 11,320 | 8.4% |
| 30-60k | 44,745 | 15.2% |
| 60-90k | 21,013 | 21.3% |
| 90-120k | 3,723 | 25.1% |
| 120-150k | 541 | 27.0% |
| 150k+ | 91 | 19.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 45,128 | 15.1% |
| Diesel | 36,313 | 17.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 15,381 | 11.1% |
| 2022 | 15,830 | 12.9% |
| 2023 | 16,207 | 16.0% |
| 2024 | 16,802 | 19.2% |
| 2025 | 17,221 | 21.7% |
What to check before buying a 2016 500X
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 8.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (8.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (6.0% 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 (4.4% 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 2016 Fiat 500Xs pass their MOT?
83.7% of the 81,441 2016 Fiat 500X MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Fiat 500X?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.3% of tests, followed by tyres (6.0%).
Does the 2016 500X get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.4% in the 0-30k band to 19.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 81,441 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.