2001 Fiat Brava — MOT failures & pass rate
279 MOT tests on the 2001 Fiat Brava are in this dataset, and 67.7% of them passed. That is 5.0 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.2%. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (15.4%) and brakes (15.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, rigid brake pipes and prescribed areas — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 36 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2001 Brava fails 30.3% of the time in the 30-60k band and 33.3% at 90-120k, a spread of only 3.0 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 41.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 28.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 36.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 15.4% | 43 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.4% | 43 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.5% | 32 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 9.0% | 25 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.6% | 24 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.7% | 16 |
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 | 36 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 31 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 19 |
| 4 | Washers | 17 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 16 |
| 6 | Wipers | 13 |
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 | 41.9% | 117 |
| 2 | Brakes | 38.4% | 107 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.3% | 65 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.6% | 49 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 11.8% | 33 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 9.3% | 26 |
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 | 89 | 30.3% |
| 60-90k | 108 | 36.1% |
| 90-120k | 33 | 33.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 91 | 28.6% |
| 2022 | 73 | 37.0% |
| 2023 | 44 | 25.0% |
| 2024 | 38 | 36.8% |
| 2025 | 33 | 36.4% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Brava
On a 2001 Brava, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (15.4% 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 (15.4% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (11.5% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 2001 Fiat Bravas pass their MOT?
67.7% of the 279 2001 Fiat Brava MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Fiat Brava?
Suspension, recorded in 15.4% of tests, followed by brakes (15.4%).
Does the 2001 Brava get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 30.3% in the 30-60k band to 33.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 279 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.