2021 Fiat -Trail — MOT failures & pass rate
788 MOT tests on the 2021 Fiat -Trail are in this dataset, and 95.8% of them passed. That is 4.5 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 8.7%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (4.2%) and visibility (2.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, wipers and malfunction indicator lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 29 times.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 4.2% | 33 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.0% | 16 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 1.0% | 8 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.6% | 5 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.5% | 4 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.4% | 3 |
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 | 29 |
| 2 | Wipers | 17 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 8 |
| 4 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 4 |
| 5 | Outline marker lamp | 4 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 3 |
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 | 2.3% | 18 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.0% | 16 |
| 3 | Brakes | 1.4% | 11 |
| 4 | Other defects | 0.9% | 7 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.5% | 4 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.4% | 3 |
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 | 766 | 3.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 374 | 4.3% |
| 2025 | 411 | 4.1% |
What to check before buying a 2021 -Trail
On a 2021 -Trail, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (4.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (2.0% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (1.0% 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 2021 Fiat -Trails pass their MOT?
95.8% of the 788 2021 Fiat -Trail MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 4.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Fiat -Trail?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 4.2% of tests, followed by visibility (2.0%).
Methodology & source. Based on 788 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.