At a Glance
The Fiat 500 Mk1 has 45 identified problems that occur more often than the UK average, with Shock absorber worn or leaking being the most reported. Suspension is the most common MOT failure category. The most serious issue flagged is Shock absorber worn or leaking, rated as dangerous. Based on 3.0M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on this model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read how we calculate MOT pass rates and problems →
Below: the full MOT-data picture for the Fiat 500 Mk1 — MOT pass rate vs the UK average, common problems vs UK fleet patterns, the most likely MOT failures by frequency, fault occurrence by mileage band, and pass/fail trends. All numbers drawn from DVSA records.
Fiat 500 Mk1 MOT Pass Rate
Across 3.0M MOT tests from DVSA data, the Fiat 500 Mk1 (2007–2025) has a fail rate of 28.1%.
UK average fail rate (2007–2024): 34.9%
Common Fiat 500 Mk1 Problems
Owner-submitted reports plus patterns we've identified across 559 million UK MOT tests. Each MOT-derived item below — whether tagged as a Problem, Wear & Tear or Consumable — shows up noticeably more often on this generation than across the UK fleet, which is why it's here. Owner reports are pinned to the top by default; use the sort and filter pills below to view a specific tier or change the order.
Shock absorber worn or leaking
156,505
occurrences
Wiper blades deteriorated
108,577
occurrences
Windscreen washer not working
68,702
occurrences
Tyre condition
62,684
occurrences
Parking brake performance below minimum
51,247
occurrences
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Fiat 500 Mk1 owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Fiat 500 Mk1 owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
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Problems by mileage
Common problems, MOT failures and advisories on the Fiat 500 Mk1, grouped by the mileage they typically appear at.
729 distinct problems · 4,430,895 total occurrences in current filter
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Advisory items are MOT tester observations. Frequency can be influenced by driving style and usage patterns.
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Other Fiat 500 Generations
Classic (Nuova/D/F/L/R)
1957–1975
0 problems
Mk1
2007–2025
54 problems
Current page
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Fiat 500 Mk1 problems?
Based on DVSA MOT data for the Fiat 500 Mk1 (2007–2025), we have identified 45 common problems. The most frequently reported is "Shock absorber worn or leaking". Suspension is the most common MOT failure category.
How reliable is the Fiat 500 Mk1?
This generation has 3.0M MOT tests on record with a 28.1% fail rate. A fault is flagged as a "Common Problem" only when it occurs significantly more often on this model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence.
What commonly fails the MOT on a Fiat 500 Mk1?
There are 201 distinct MOT failure types recorded for the Mk1 (2007–2025), grouped by the mileage these failures typically occur. See the Common MOT Failures section on this page.
Can I report a problem with my Fiat 500 Mk1?
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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