Used car guide

2018 Abarth 595: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Abarth 595s, from 3,534 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,534MOT tests in 2025
80%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
5,500typical miles a year
1.8×the usual rate for brake discs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Abarth 595s than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Brake discs1.8× usual
    Abarth 595
    19.5% All 2018 cars
    10.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.6% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Shock absorbers3.8× usual
    Abarth 595
    10.9% All 2018 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 0.5% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2× usual
    Abarth 595
    6.5% All 2018 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.5% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Front strut mounts and bushes13.5× usual
    Abarth 595
    2.7% All 2018 cars
    0.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£400 our estimate

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

  • Exhaust system2.5× usual
    Abarth 595
    2.7% All 2018 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.2% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

By area

The share of 2018 Abarth 595 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • Brakes
    24% 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.

  • Suspension
    22% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    9% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    3% 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 a Abarth 595?

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Other years

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

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2018 Abarth 595s registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score