2018 Fiat 500X — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 15,625 MOT tests, the 2018 Fiat 500X recorded a 90.3% pass rate. That is effectively the same as small SUVs of a similar age (9.9% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.3%) and lighting & signalling (2.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and washers — tread depth alone was recorded 412 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 5.7% in the 0-30k band and 22.0% in the 90-120k band, a 16.3-point spread — more than double.
The petrol cars hold up better: 9.4% fail against 11.4% for diesel, a 2.0-point gap across 15,625 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 25.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 4.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 14.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.3% | 677 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.3% | 366 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.1% | 327 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.6% | 251 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.5% | 240 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.0% | 163 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 412 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 219 |
| 3 | Washers | 214 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 198 |
| 5 | Linkage ball joints | 192 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 138 |
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 | 25.8% | 4,036 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.3% | 1,762 |
| 3 | Other defects | 8.9% | 1,388 |
| 4 | Suspension | 5.0% | 784 |
| 5 | Steering | 1.9% | 301 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.6% | 251 |
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 | 7,341 | 5.7% |
| 30-60k | 6,974 | 12.3% |
| 60-90k | 1,200 | 17.8% |
| 90-120k | 100 | 22.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 13,281 | 9.4% |
| Diesel | 2,344 | 11.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,985 | 4.9% |
| 2022 | 3,027 | 6.0% |
| 2023 | 3,132 | 9.5% |
| 2024 | 3,188 | 12.4% |
| 2025 | 3,293 | 14.9% |
What to check before buying a 2018 500X
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 4.3% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (4.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (2.1% 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.
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 2018 Fiat 500Xs pass their MOT?
90.3% of the 15,625 2018 Fiat 500X MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Fiat 500X?
Tyres, recorded in 4.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (2.3%).
Does the 2018 500X get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.7% in the 0-30k band to 22.0% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 15,625 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.