2019 Fiat 500 (first used 2019) MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 80.1% of Fiat 500s first used in 2019 passed their MOT first time, against 83.5% for all cars first used in 2019. Across 64,193 500 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, suspension and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen).
This page analyses first MOT tests for Fiat 500s first used in 2019 (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 2019 Fiat 500 MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, 500s first used in 2019 against all cars first used in 2019 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the 500 figure was 3.4 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2019 500 | All cars first used 2019 | 500 first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 92.0% | 89.2% | 867 |
| 2022 | 90.1% | 87.8% | 21,465 |
| 2023 | 87.9% | 86.2% | 21,479 |
| 2024 | 84.2% | 84.9% | 21,368 |
| 2025 | 80.1% | 83.5% | 21,346 |
Common 2019 Fiat 500 MOT failures
Share of the 10,220 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 | 11.5% | 1,180 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 9.0% | 921 |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | 8.6% | 883 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 7.1% | 727 |
| Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed | 6.9% | 710 |
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 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2019 Fiat 500 before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Wipers and windscreen. Worth checking that the wipers clear the screen cleanly, that the washers work, and that there are no chips or cracks in the driver’s view.
Common 2019 Fiat 500 MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2019 500s, as a share of all 64,193 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 13.7% | 8,787 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 11.2% | 7,194 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 10.7% | 6,851 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 4.5% | 2,906 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 3.9% | 2,490 |
Questions about the 2019 Fiat 500 MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2019 Fiat 500?
In 2025, 80.1% of 500s first used in 2019 passed their MOT first time, against 83.5% for all cars first used in 2019. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2019 500 most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 29.2% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (24.6%) and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (21.9%). The single most common item was “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn” (11.5%).
How often does a 2019 Fiat 500 fail its MOT?
In 2025, 19.9% of first tests on 500s first used in 2019 did not pass first time: 16.1% failed, and a further 3.7% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 10,220 of 64,193 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2019 Fiat 500 MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 13.7% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (11.2%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (10.7%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (4.5%) and “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (3.9%).
Is a 2019 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 92.0% in 2021 to 80.1% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2019
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2019 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2019 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2019 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2019 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2019 500?
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