At a Glance
The Fiat 500 has 45 identified common problems across 2 generations, with the Mk1 (2007-2025) being the most affected generation and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 3.0M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Fiat 500 common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Fiat 500 generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Fiat 500 Generations
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Most Common Fiat 500 MOT Failures
Every reason Fiat 500 vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 17.17% |
| 2 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 10.34% |
| 3 | Tyre condition | 8.50% |
| 4 | Brake pads or linings worn | 7.13% |
| 5 | Brake performance below minimum | 6.08% |
| 6 | Stop lamp not working | 4.97% |
| 7 | Exhaust system fault | 4.12% |
| 8 | Brake disc or drum worn | 3.44% |
| 9 | Number plate lamp not working | 3.44% |
| 10 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 3.36% |
| 11 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 2.34% |
| 12 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 2.15% |
| 13 | Ball joint dust cover split | 2.13% |
| 14 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.82% |
| 15 | Windscreen washer not working | 1.66% |
| 16 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 1.50% |
| 17 | Headlamp aim defect | 1.44% |
| 18 | Indicator fault | 1.28% |
| 19 | Headlamp fault | 1.23% |
| 20 | Driveshaft fault | 1.15% |
| 21 | Front lamp not working | 0.93% |
| 22 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.91% |
| 23 | Track rod end worn | 0.86% |
| 24 | Position lamp not working | 0.72% |
| 25 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.66% |
| 26 | Airbag warning light on | 0.65% |
| 27 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.61% |
| 28 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.57% |
| 29 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 0.44% |
| 30 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.43% |
| 31 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.42% |
| 32 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.42% |
| 33 | Seat belt condition | 0.39% |
| 34 | Engine oil leak | 0.35% |
| 35 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.34% |
| 36 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.32% |
| 37 | Horn not working | 0.31% |
| 38 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.27% |
| 39 | Rear lamp not working | 0.26% |
| 40 | ABS fault | 0.26% |
| 41 | Rear suspension fault | 0.23% |
| 42 | Steering rack fault | 0.22% |
| 43 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.21% |
| 44 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.20% |
| 45 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.19% |
| 46 | Parking brake condition | 0.16% |
| 47 | Front passenger door fault | 0.15% |
| 48 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.14% |
| 49 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.14% |
| 50 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.14% |
| 51 | Fog lamp not working | 0.14% |
| 52 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.12% |
| 53 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.12% |
| 54 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.10% |
| 55 | Driver door fault | 0.10% |
| 56 | Front suspension fault | 0.09% |
| 57 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.09% |
| 58 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.09% |
| 59 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.08% |
| 60 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.08% |
| 61 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.08% |
| 62 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.07% |
| 63 | Brake fluid leak | 0.07% |
| 64 | Brake lever fault | 0.07% |
| 65 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.07% |
| 66 | Brake pedal fault | 0.07% |
| 67 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.06% |
| 68 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.06% |
| 69 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.06% |
| 70 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.05% |
| 71 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.05% |
| 72 | Chassis condition | 0.05% |
| 73 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.05% |
| 74 | Brake caliper fault | 0.05% |
| 75 | Driver seat fault | 0.04% |
| 76 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.04% |
| 77 | Exhaust leak | 0.04% |
| 78 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.04% |
| 79 | Passenger seat fault | 0.04% |
| 80 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.04% |
| 81 | Daytime running lamp not working | 0.03% |
| 82 | Transmission oil leak | 0.03% |
| 83 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.03% |
| 84 | Driver airbag fault | 0.03% |
| 85 | Drag link end worn | 0.03% |
| 86 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.03% |
| 87 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.02% |
| 88 | Propshaft fault | 0.02% |
| 89 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.02% |
| 90 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.02% |
| 91 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 92 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.02% |
| 93 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.02% |
| 94 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.02% |
| 95 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 96 | Electrical switch fault | 0.02% |
| 97 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.02% |
| 98 | Electric power steering fault | 0.02% |
| 99 | Hydraulic fluid leak | 0.02% |
| 100 | Steering lock fault | 0.02% |
| 101 | Front fog lamp not working | 0.02% |
| 102 | Suspension unit fault | 0.02% |
| 103 | Steering operation fault | 0.01% |
| 104 | Axle corroded or damaged | 0.01% |
| 105 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 106 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.01% |
| 107 | Steering column fault | 0.01% |
| 108 | Steering arm worn | 0.01% |
| 109 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.01% |
| 110 | Indicator warning light fault | 0.01% |
| 111 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.01% |
| 112 | Main beam warning light fault | 0.01% |
| 113 | Window damaged or won't operate | 0.01% |
| 114 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Steering free play excessive | <0.01% |
| 118 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 119 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 124 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Body security fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 128 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 130 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 131 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 132 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 133 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Subframe mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 135 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 137 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 139 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 141 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 143 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 145 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 146 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 149 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 151 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 152 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 154 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Anchor bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 156 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 158 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 159 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 161 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Passenger hand grip fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 165 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 166 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | <0.01% |
| 167 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 169 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 171 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 174 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | <0.01% |
| 175 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 176 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 178 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 179 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 180 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 181 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 182 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 183 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 184 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 185 | Power steering pump fault | <0.01% |
| 186 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 187 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 187 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Fiat 500 MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Fiat 500, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Fiat 500 problems?
Based on analysis of 3.0M Fiat 500 MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 45 identified common problems across 2 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Shock absorber worn or leaking". Suspension is the most common problem category.
Which Fiat 500 generation has the most problems?
The Fiat 500 Mk1 (2007-2025) (2007–2025) has the highest number of identified common problems (54). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Fiat 500?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Fiat 500 owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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