2012 Fiat 500 MOT pass rate and common faults

MOT tests in 2025, published 22 Jun 2026. DVSA publishes a new year each summer.

28,935 Fiat 500 cars first used in 2012 had an MOT in 2025, at about 13 years old, and 61.0% passed first time. That is below the 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012.

The year is when the car was first used, as on its V5C log book, not the model year.

Common failures

The share of 2012 Fiat 500 cars tested that failed on, or had fixed at the station, each item. Worth checking before the MOT or before you buy.

Most common 2012 Fiat 500 MOT failure items
2012 Fiat 500 common failures
ItemValue
Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn5.5%
Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush4.3%
Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak3.7%
Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.6%
Position lamp: not working2.7%
Stop lamp: not working2.6%

Source: DVSA, tests in 2025, published 22 June 2026.

Common advisories

Things the tester noticed that were not bad enough to fail. They often turn into failures later. What advisories mean for the next MOT.

Most common 2012 Fiat 500 advisories
2012 Fiat 500 common advisories
ItemValue
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge21.1%
Coil spring: corroded14.9%
Condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing12.3%
Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases11.1%
Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement10.2%
Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil9.7%

Source: DVSA, tests in 2025, published 22 June 2026.

Where the faults are

The share of cars tested with at least one failure or fix in each part of the car.

2012 Fiat 500 faults by area
2012 Fiat 500 faults by area
ItemValue
Suspension18.7%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment14.6%
Brakes7.9%
Tyres7.1%
Body, chassis, structure5.4%
Visibility4.9%

Source: DVSA, tests in 2025, published 22 June 2026.

Typical mileage

Recorded mileage at the MOT. A car well above this range has done more work than most; one far below is worth a closer look at its MOT history.

2012 Fiat 500 recorded mileage
2012 Fiat 500 mileage
CarsLowTypicalHigh
28,88553,60069,300 miles85,400

The middle half of cars fall between the low and high figures. Source: DVSA, tests in 2025, published 22 June 2026.

Other Fiat 500 years

Fiat 500 first-time pass rate by year first used
YearTestsPassed first timeAll cars that year
202212,23290.5%88.5%
202112,85587.5%87.2%
202013,74484.8%86.0%
201921,34680.1%83.5%
201824,17077.0%80.9%
201724,17073.9%78.2%
201633,40368.9%74.9%
201539,26664.1%71.9%
201441,05163.7%68.6%
201334,45063.4%65.8%
201228,93561.0%63.5%
201120,68258.3%61.2%
201021,13156.5%59.3%
200919,11054.8%58.3%
20089,96454.8%57.2%

Checking one car?

These figures describe groups of cars. A vehicle history report shows the full MOT history, mileage, outstanding finance, write-offs and stolen records for one registration.

Figures from the DVSA anonymised MOT testing data for MOT tests in 2025, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Analysis by Motoring Insider. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. How we work out these figures.