1998 Fiat Coupe — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,605 MOT tests, the 1998 Fiat Coupe recorded a 75.0% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail at 25.6%, so the 1998 Coupe sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (15.1%) and lighting & signalling (12.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, rbt (sp) and service brake performance — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 154 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 19.2% in the 30-60k band and 29.3% in the 150k+ band, a 10.1-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 28.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 26.2% in 2021 to 23.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 15.1% | 243 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.4% | 199 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 7.8% | 126 |
| 4 | Suspension | 6.5% | 105 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.4% | 103 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.4% | 102 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 154 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 149 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 145 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 89 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 74 |
| 6 | Washers | 71 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 28.7% | 460 |
| 2 | Suspension | 25.4% | 407 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 16.6% | 267 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.0% | 257 |
| 5 | Tyres | 12.8% | 205 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 11.0% | 177 |
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 | 156 | 19.2% |
| 60-90k | 526 | 25.1% |
| 90-120k | 489 | 26.4% |
| 120-150k | 291 | 24.7% |
| 150k+ | 116 | 29.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 347 | 26.2% |
| 2022 | 337 | 23.7% |
| 2023 | 323 | 25.4% |
| 2024 | 285 | 26.0% |
| 2025 | 313 | 23.6% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Coupe
On a 1998 Coupe, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (15.1% 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 (12.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (7.8% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 1998 Fiat Coupes pass their MOT?
75.0% of the 1,605 1998 Fiat Coupe MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Fiat Coupe?
Brakes, recorded in 15.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.4%).
Does the 1998 Coupe get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.2% in the 30-60k band to 29.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,605 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.