1998 Fiat Seicento — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1998 Fiat Seicento passed 73.4% of its 267 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail at 25.7%, so the 1998 Seicento sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.1%) and body, structure & corrosion (12.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, service brake performance and joints — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 29 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 13.8% in the 0-30k band and 31.2% in the 60-90k band, a 17.4-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 24.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 26.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 35.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.1% | 35 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.7% | 34 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.7% | 34 |
| 4 | Visibility | 10.1% | 27 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.5% | 20 |
| 6 | Suspension | 7.5% | 20 |
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 | 29 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 24 |
| 3 | Joints | 19 |
| 4 | Wipers | 18 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 17 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 15 |
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 | 24.3% | 65 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 21.0% | 56 |
| 3 | Brakes | 21.0% | 56 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.6% | 55 |
| 5 | Tyres | 18.7% | 50 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.4% | 25 |
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 | 58 | 13.8% |
| 30-60k | 114 | 30.7% |
| 60-90k | 77 | 31.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 75 | 26.7% |
| 2022 | 64 | 26.6% |
| 2023 | 52 | 25.0% |
| 2024 | 42 | 21.4% |
| 2025 | 34 | 35.3% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Seicento
On a 1998 Seicento, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (12.7% 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+.
- Brakes (12.7% 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.
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 Seicentos pass their MOT?
73.4% of the 267 1998 Fiat Seicento MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Fiat Seicento?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.1% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (12.7%).
Does the 1998 Seicento get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.8% in the 0-30k band to 31.2% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 267 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.