Used car guide

2023 Fiat 500: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2023 Fiat 500s, from 729 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

729MOT tests in 2025
93%pass first time (all 2023 cars: 92%)
9,700typical miles a year
14%had tyres flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2023 Fiat 500 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    14% 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.

  • Suspension
    3% 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
    2% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    2% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    1% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    1% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Looking at a Fiat 500?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
202212,174Tyres 23%
202112,652Tyres 29%
202013,744Tyres 31%
201921,326Tyres 33%
201823,577Tyres 33%
201722,610Tyres 33%
201631,260Suspension 42%
201536,754Suspension 46%
201440,169Suspension 47%
201334,427Suspension 48%
201227,069Suspension 52%
201119,733Suspension 52%
201019,767Suspension 53%
200918,415Suspension 57%
200810,008Suspension 55%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2023 Fiat 500s registered in 2023. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score