1987 Fiat X1/9 — MOT failures & pass rate
305 MOT tests on the 1987 Fiat X1/9 are in this dataset, and 82.3% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 20.6% of the time, so this is 2.9pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.8% of tests against 8.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are non catalyst emissions, service brake performance and rbt (sp) — non catalyst emissions alone was recorded 25 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 28.2% versus 17.2%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 8.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.8% | 39 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 8.5% | 26 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.9% | 24 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.6% | 11 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.6% | 11 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.3% | 7 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Non catalyst emissions | 25 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 17 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 14 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 14 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 12 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 10 |
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 | 8.8% | 27 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.8% | 27 |
| 3 | Tyres | 8.2% | 25 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 6.6% | 20 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 3.9% | 12 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.3% | 10 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 116 | 17.2% |
| 60-90k | 113 | 14.2% |
| 90-120k | 39 | 28.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 56 | 14.3% |
| 2022 | 67 | 20.9% |
| 2023 | 64 | 21.9% |
| 2024 | 58 | 17.2% |
| 2025 | 60 | 13.3% |
What to check before buying a 1987 X1/9
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (8.5% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Brakes (7.9% 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 1987 Fiat X1/9s pass their MOT?
82.3% of the 305 1987 Fiat X1/9 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1987 Fiat X1/9?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.8% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (8.5%).
Does the 1987 X1/9 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.2% in the 30-60k band to 28.2% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 305 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.