Used car guide

2012 Abarth 595: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Abarth 595s, from 171 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 171 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

171MOT tests in 2025
69%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
4,800typical miles a year
44%had suspension flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2012 Abarth 595 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    44% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    34% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    25% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    16% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    11% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    8% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at an Abarth 595?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20221,012Tyres 22%
20211,812Tyres 24%
20201,874Tyres 25%
20192,426Tyres 26%
20183,534Tyres 25%
20173,040Suspension 32%
20162,898Suspension 34%
20151,598Suspension 36%
2014537Suspension 35%
2013493Suspension 38%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Abarth 595s registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score