2012 Fiat -Trail — MOT failures & pass rate
2,310 MOT tests on the 2012 Fiat -Trail are in this dataset, and 90.8% of them passed. That is 12.5 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 21.7%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (6.0%) and brakes (3.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are outline marker lamp, wipers and malfunction indicator lamp — outline marker lamp alone was recorded 81 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.0% in the 0-30k band and 17.3% in the 60-90k band, a 9.3-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 9.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 7.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 11.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.0% | 139 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.2% | 73 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 2.0% | 46 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.9% | 44 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.3% | 29 |
| 6 | Tyres | 1.2% | 27 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Outline marker lamp | 81 |
| 2 | Wipers | 42 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 41 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 39 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 38 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 34 |
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 | 9.4% | 217 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 5.8% | 133 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.3% | 123 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.5% | 105 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.7% | 40 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.5% | 34 |
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 | 1,291 | 8.0% |
| 30-60k | 959 | 10.5% |
| 60-90k | 52 | 17.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 471 | 7.9% |
| 2022 | 463 | 7.8% |
| 2023 | 471 | 9.6% |
| 2024 | 447 | 9.4% |
| 2025 | 458 | 11.6% |
What to check before buying a 2012 -Trail
On a 2012 -Trail, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (6.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (3.2% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (2.0% 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 2012 Fiat -Trails pass their MOT?
90.8% of the 2,310 2012 Fiat -Trail MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Fiat -Trail?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.0% of tests, followed by brakes (3.2%).
Does the 2012 -Trail get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.0% in the 0-30k band to 17.3% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,310 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.