2012 Fiat 500 (first used 2012) MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 61.0% of Fiat 500s first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012. Across 88,562 500 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were suspension, lamps and electrical equipment and brakes.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Fiat 500s first used in 2012 (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 2012 Fiat 500 MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, 500s first used in 2012 against all cars first used in 2012 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the 500 figure was 2.5 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2012 500 | All cars first used 2012 | 500 first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 65.4% | 68.8% | 30,126 |
| 2022 | 63.6% | 67.4% | 30,204 |
| 2023 | 62.8% | 65.6% | 29,996 |
| 2024 | 61.1% | 64.3% | 29,631 |
| 2025 | 61.0% | 63.5% | 28,935 |
Common 2012 Fiat 500 MOT failures
Share of the 33,982 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | 15.3% | 5,187 |
| Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush | 12.8% | 4,351 |
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | 8.7% | 2,961 |
| Ball joint: excessively worn | 8.0% | 2,716 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 6.8% | 2,302 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | 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 2012 Fiat 500 before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
Common 2012 Fiat 500 MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2012 500s, as a share of all 88,562 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 18.6% | 16,475 |
| Coil spring: corroded | 13.2% | 11,682 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 12.0% | 10,616 |
| Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases | 9.8% | 8,647 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 9.4% | 8,304 |
Questions about the 2012 Fiat 500 MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2012 Fiat 500?
In 2025, 61.0% of 500s first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2012 500 most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension (in 47.9% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), lamps and electrical equipment (36.1%) and brakes (20.0%). The single most common item was “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn” (15.3%).
How often does a 2012 Fiat 500 fail its MOT?
In 2025, 39.0% of first tests on 500s first used in 2012 did not pass first time: 32.8% failed, and a further 6.2% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 33,982 of 88,562 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2012 Fiat 500 MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 18.6% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Coil spring: corroded” (13.2%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (12.0%), “Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases” (9.8%) and “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (9.4%).
Is a 2012 Fiat 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 65.4% in 2021 to 61.0% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2012
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2012 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2012 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2012 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2012 500?
The numbers above cover every 500 first used in 2012 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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