2021 Fiat Tipo — MOT failures & pass rate
2,486 MOT tests on the 2021 Fiat Tipo are in this dataset, and 86.0% of them passed. Against small family cars of a similar age (8.3% fail rate), the 2021 Tipo comes out 5.6pp worse. Failures cluster in visibility, tyres and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — visibility (8.1%) and tyres (5.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, headlamp aim and tread depth — wipers alone was recorded 240 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 12.1% in the 0-30k band and 19.4% in the 60-90k band, a 7.3-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 24.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 6.5% of tests failed in 2023 against 14.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 8.1% | 202 |
| 2 | Tyres | 5.9% | 146 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 4.1% | 102 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.8% | 46 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.5% | 36 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.8% | 21 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 240 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 123 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 57 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 33 |
| 5 | Brake discs | 23 |
| 6 | Washers | 21 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 24.8% | 617 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.5% | 287 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.3% | 156 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.7% | 117 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.9% | 73 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.7% | 43 |
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 | 1,451 | 12.1% |
| 30-60k | 929 | 16.4% |
| 60-90k | 93 | 19.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,444 | 14.1% |
| Diesel | 42 | 7.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 31 | 6.5% |
| 2024 | 1,204 | 13.5% |
| 2025 | 1,248 | 14.7% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Tipo
On a 2021 Tipo, visibility is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Visibility (8.1% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Tyres (5.9% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (4.1% 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
How many 2021 Fiat Tipos pass their MOT?
86.0% of the 2,486 2021 Fiat Tipo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Fiat Tipo?
Visibility, recorded in 8.1% of tests, followed by tyres (5.9%).
Does the 2021 Tipo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.1% in the 0-30k band to 19.4% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,486 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.