Fiat 500 - 2021
64.0 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2021 is 80.0 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Fiat 500, model year 2021.
Sample size: 18,233 cars, 37,438 tests and 23,963 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year
Quick summary
Total: 18,233 cars
The 2021 Fiat 500 has an overall defect rate of 64 per 100 vehicles, which is significantly better than the average of 79 per 100 for cars of the same year, representing an 18.5% improvement. This model shows a notable reduction in defects related to brakes, steering, visibility, and body structure, outperforming the average in these categories by substantial margins. However, the defect rate increases with mileage, peaking in the 93,000 to 124,000-mile range, which is a trend seen across most vehicles. Overall, the Fiat 500 demonstrates strong reliability compared to its peers, particularly in critical areas such as braking and steering.
Cars by mileage segment
Total: 18,233 cars
More model years for Fiat 500
Other models from Fiat
Categories
Brakes
▲ 63.8% better
14.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 40.0 / 100 tests
- Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
- Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
- Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
- Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
- Cable damaged or knotted
Steering
▲ 71.4% better
0.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 0.7 / 100 tests
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
Visibility
▲ 25.5% better
10.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 14.5 / 100 tests
- Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Wiper blade: defective
- Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
- Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
Lights & Electrics
▲ 35.7% better
7.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 11.2 / 100 tests
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
Wheels & Suspension
▼ 6.1% worse
92.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 87.3 / 100 tests
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
- A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
- A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
- A tyre: with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
Body/Structure
▲ 61.9% better
0.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 2.1 / 100 tests
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
- A main load-bearing structural member: fractured or deformed such that structural rigidity is significantly reduced
- Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
- A door will not open using the relevant control or close properly
- Fuel system: leaking, or missing or ineffective filler cap
Equipment
▲ 46.7% better
0.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 1.5 / 100 tests
- An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
- A seat belt: or flexible stalk damaged
- Seat belt buckle missing, damaged or not functioning as intended
- A seat belt: webbing or flexible stalk significantly stretched or weakened
- A seat belt:
Other
▲ 55.6% better
1.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 2.7 / 100 tests
- Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
- Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
- Emissions test unable to be completed
- Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
Fault rate by mileage segment
Model
Year average
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.
Most common faults (Top 10)
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 9,130
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 2,790
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,357
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 1,239
A tyre: with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 777
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 582
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
PRS
Occurrences: 538
Wiper blade: defective
MINOR
Occurrences: 498
A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 466
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 447
Serious faults (Top 10)
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 1,239
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 447
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 417
A tyre: with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
FAIL
Occurrences: 406
Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 404
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 186
A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
FAIL
Occurrences: 102
Tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctioning or obviously not working
FAIL
Occurrences: 82
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 77
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: likely to become detached
FAIL
Occurrences: 68