2001 Fiat Seicento — MOT failures & pass rate
2,335 MOT tests on the 2001 Fiat Seicento are in this dataset, and 68.4% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 27.2% of the time, so this is 4.4pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (18.2%) and lighting & signalling (18.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, service brake performance and component mounting prescribed areas — headlamp aim alone was recorded 342 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2001 Seicento fails 25.0% of the time in the 0-30k band and 27.9% at 120-150k, a spread of only 2.9 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 31.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 18.2% | 426 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 18.1% | 423 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.9% | 232 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.6% | 223 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.8% | 183 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.7% | 133 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 342 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 294 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 204 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 141 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 138 |
| 6 | Service brake imbalance | 135 |
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 | 31.9% | 745 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.6% | 737 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.2% | 542 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.9% | 489 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 18.9% | 441 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 9.1% | 212 |
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 | 312 | 25.0% |
| 30-60k | 1,069 | 32.6% |
| 60-90k | 695 | 31.5% |
| 90-120k | 202 | 37.1% |
| 120-150k | 43 | 27.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 729 | 32.4% |
| 2022 | 550 | 29.8% |
| 2023 | 462 | 33.3% |
| 2024 | 331 | 30.2% |
| 2025 | 263 | 31.9% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Seicento
On a 2001 Seicento, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (18.2% 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 (18.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.9% 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 2001 Fiat Seicentos pass their MOT?
68.4% of the 2,335 2001 Fiat Seicento MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Fiat Seicento?
Brakes, recorded in 18.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (18.1%).
Does the 2001 Seicento get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.0% in the 0-30k band to 27.9% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,335 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.