At a Glance
The Fiat Cinquecento has 57 identified common problems across 1 generation, with the Cinquecento (1991-1998) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 143K 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 Cinquecento 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 Cinquecento 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 Cinquecento Generations
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Most Common Fiat Cinquecento MOT Failures
Every reason Fiat Cinquecento 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 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 21.24% |
| 2 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 7.47% |
| 3 | Exhaust system fault | 7.16% |
| 4 | Brake disc or drum worn | 7.12% |
| 5 | Stop lamp not working | 6.78% |
| 6 | Tyre condition | 4.90% |
| 7 | Driveshaft fault | 4.77% |
| 8 | Number plate lamp not working | 4.58% |
| 9 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 4.05% |
| 10 | Brake pads or linings worn | 3.40% |
| 11 | Suspension mounting corroded | 2.52% |
| 12 | Chassis condition | 2.33% |
| 13 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 2.15% |
| 14 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 2.01% |
| 15 | Fog lamp not working | 1.83% |
| 16 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 1.53% |
| 17 | Brake performance below minimum | 1.18% |
| 18 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.99% |
| 19 | Rear lamp not working | 0.97% |
| 20 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.94% |
| 21 | Steering rack fault | 0.89% |
| 22 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.88% |
| 23 | Track rod end worn | 0.74% |
| 24 | Front suspension fault | 0.61% |
| 25 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.52% |
| 26 | Seat belt condition | 0.51% |
| 27 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.46% |
| 28 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.46% |
| 29 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.44% |
| 30 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.43% |
| 31 | Position lamp not working | 0.40% |
| 32 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.39% |
| 33 | Headlamp fault | 0.34% |
| 34 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.34% |
| 35 | Steering free play excessive | 0.27% |
| 36 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.25% |
| 37 | Steering operation fault | 0.23% |
| 38 | Brake fluid leak | 0.22% |
| 39 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.18% |
| 40 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.17% |
| 41 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.16% |
| 42 | Steering lock fault | 0.15% |
| 43 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.13% |
| 44 | Headlamp aim defect | 0.13% |
| 45 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.12% |
| 46 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.12% |
| 47 | Steering arm worn | 0.12% |
| 48 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.12% |
| 49 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.11% |
| 50 | Windscreen washer not working | 0.11% |
| 51 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.11% |
| 52 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 0.10% |
| 53 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.09% |
| 54 | Steering shaft fault | 0.09% |
| 55 | Brake linkage mounting fault | 0.09% |
| 56 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.09% |
| 57 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.08% |
| 58 | Indicator fault | 0.08% |
| 59 | Brake caliper fault | 0.07% |
| 60 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.07% |
| 61 | Front lamp not working | 0.06% |
| 62 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.06% |
| 63 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.06% |
| 64 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | 0.05% |
| 65 | Engine oil leak | 0.04% |
| 66 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.04% |
| 67 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.04% |
| 68 | Brake relay lever fault | 0.04% |
| 69 | Suspension unit fault | 0.04% |
| 70 | Rear suspension fault | 0.04% |
| 71 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.04% |
| 72 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.04% |
| 73 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.04% |
| 74 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.03% |
| 75 | Drag link end worn | 0.03% |
| 76 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.03% |
| 77 | Brake stationary pin worn | 0.03% |
| 78 | Horn not working | 0.02% |
| 79 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.02% |
| 80 | Parking brake condition | 0.02% |
| 81 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.02% |
| 82 | Towbar fault | 0.02% |
| 83 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | 0.02% |
| 84 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.02% |
| 85 | Speedometer fault | 0.02% |
| 86 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 87 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 88 | Driver seat fault | 0.02% |
| 89 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.01% |
| 90 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.01% |
| 91 | Brake pedal linkage fault | 0.01% |
| 92 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.01% |
| 93 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.01% |
| 94 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.01% |
| 95 | ABS fault | <0.01% |
| 96 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 97 | Brake pedal fault | <0.01% |
| 98 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | <0.01% |
| 99 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 100 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 101 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 102 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 103 | Propshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 104 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 105 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 106 | Airbag warning light on | <0.01% |
| 107 | Body security fault | <0.01% |
| 108 | Brake pedal movement restricted | <0.01% |
| 109 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 110 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 111 | Handbrake cable fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Headlamp levelling device fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 115 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 117 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 119 | Brake lever fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 121 | Driver airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Electrical switch fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Steering column fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 128 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 129 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 130 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Driver door fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Electronic stability control fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Front passenger door fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 141 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 143 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 149 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 150 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
Showing all 150 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Fiat Cinquecento MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Fiat Cinquecento, 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 Cinquecento problems?
Based on analysis of 143K Fiat Cinquecento MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 57 identified common problems across 1 generation. The most frequently flagged issue is "Brake performance below minimum". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Fiat Cinquecento generation has the most problems?
The Fiat Cinquecento Cinquecento (1991-1998) (1991–1998) has the highest number of identified common problems (74). 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 Cinquecento?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Fiat Cinquecento owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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