Used car guide

2003 Fiat Seicento: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Fiat Seicentos, from 353 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 353 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

353MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
2,500typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for coil springs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Fiat Seicentos than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Coil springs2.1× usual
    Fiat Seicento
    21.8% All 2003 cars
    10.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 2.1% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Braking performance2.3× usual
    Fiat Seicento
    16.4% All 2003 cars
    7.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.2%, against 3% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Brakes pulling to one side4.3× usual
    Fiat Seicento
    8.5% All 2003 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.6%, against 1.5% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

Better than most

Brake discs: 5.7% here, against 12.7% of all 2003 cars.

By area

The share of 2003 Fiat Seicento MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    44% 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
    42% 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
    31% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    24% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    18% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    17% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2002276Brakes 45%
2001210Brakes 47%
2000144Brakes 47%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Fiat Seicentos registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score