Fiat Brava MOT pass rate & common failures
The Fiat Brava appears in 677 MOT tests spanning model years 1996–2018, and 69.0% of them passed. That is 4.5 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 26.5%. Its most common failure areas are suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 14.3% of tests against 11.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, prescribed areas and catalyst emissions — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 62 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the Brava fails 28.6% of the time in the 30-60k band and 30.5% at 120-150k, a spread of only 1.9 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 43.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
By model year
Every Brava model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 54 | 64.8% | 35.2% | Suspension |
| 1999 | 48 | 77.1% | 22.9% | Suspension |
| 2000 | 146 | 65.1% | 34.9% | Body, structure & corrosion |
| 2001 | 279 | 67.7% | 32.3% | Suspension |
| 2008 | 54 | 72.2% | 27.8% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.3% | 97 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.2% | 76 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 10.3% | 70 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.0% | 68 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.0% | 54 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.9% | 47 |
| 7 | Seat belts & restraints | 6.2% | 42 |
| 8 | Tyres | 6.1% | 41 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 62 |
| 2 | Prescribed areas | 49 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 45 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 39 |
| 5 | Wipers | 36 |
| 6 | Washers | 33 |
| 7 | Exhaust system | 32 |
| 8 | Headlamp aim | 30 |
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 | 43.4% | 294 |
| 2 | Brakes | 38.6% | 261 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.9% | 175 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.0% | 122 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 12.8% | 87 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 10.2% | 69 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 189 | 28.6% |
| 60-90k | 259 | 34.8% |
| 90-120k | 109 | 29.4% |
| 120-150k | 59 | 30.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 628 | 31.4% |
| Diesel | 49 | 26.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 246 | 33.3% |
| 2022 | 167 | 30.5% |
| 2023 | 106 | 24.5% |
| 2024 | 88 | 31.8% |
| 2025 | 70 | 32.9% |
What to check before buying a Fiat Brava
- Suspension (14.3% 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.
- Brakes (11.2% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (10.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Fiat Brava?
69.0% of the 677 Fiat Brava MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 31.0% fail rate, across model years 1996–2018.
What does the Fiat Brava most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension, recorded in 14.3% of tests, then brakes (11.2%).
How much does mileage affect Brava MOT results?
Fail rates run at 28.6% for cars in the 30-60k band and 30.5% for 120-150k, a 1.9-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 677 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.