2011 Abarth 500 (first used 2011) MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 64.8% of Abarth 500s first used in 2011 passed their MOT first time, against 61.2% for all cars first used in 2011. Across 2,606 500 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, suspension and body, chassis and structure.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Abarth 500s first used in 2011 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2011 Abarth 500 MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, 500s first used in 2011 against all cars first used in 2011 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the 500 figure was 3.6 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2011 500 | All cars first used 2011 | 500 first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 64.7% | 65.8% | 911 |
| 2022 | 66.0% | 64.5% | 912 |
| 2023 | 66.7% | 63.0% | 885 |
| 2024 | 64.6% | 61.8% | 885 |
| 2025 | 64.8% | 61.2% | 836 |
Common 2011 Abarth 500 MOT failures
Share of the 902 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 15.0% | 135 |
| Ball joint: excessively worn | 8.5% | 77 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | 8.2% | 74 |
| Headlamp aim: too low | 8.0% | 72 |
| Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush | 7.9% | 71 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a 500 in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ball joint: excessively worn | Ball joint replacement | £90 | £60–£150 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension arm replacement | £150 | £120–£180 |
| Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush | Shock absorber replacement | £300 | £200–£500 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2011 Abarth 500 before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Body and underside. Worth looking underneath with a torch at the sills, floor and mountings for corrosion, and at the rubber boots on the drive shafts for splits.
Common 2011 Abarth 500 MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2011 500s, as a share of all 2,606 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 18.0% | 470 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 14.0% | 366 |
| Coil spring: corroded | 10.9% | 284 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 9.7% | 252 |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened | 5.6% | 145 |
Questions about the 2011 Abarth 500 MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2011 Abarth 500?
In 2025, 64.8% of 500s first used in 2011 passed their MOT first time, against 61.2% for all cars first used in 2011. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2011 500 most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 43.3% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (40.6%) and body, chassis and structure (19.8%). The single most common item was “Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt” (15.0%).
How often does a 2011 Abarth 500 fail its MOT?
In 2025, 35.2% of first tests on 500s first used in 2011 did not pass first time: 29.7% failed, and a further 5.5% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 902 of 2,606 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2011 Abarth 500 MOT advisories?
“Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (on 18.0% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (14.0%), “Coil spring: corroded” (10.9%), “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (9.7%) and “Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened” (5.6%).
Is a 2011 Abarth 500 reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 64.7% in 2021 to 64.8% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2011
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2011 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2011 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2011 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2011 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2011 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2011 500?
The numbers above cover every 500 first used in 2011 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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