Used car guide

2021 Fiat Swift: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2021 Fiat Swifts, from 1,090 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,090MOT tests in 2025
90%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
2,700typical miles a year
7%had wipers, windscreen and mirrors flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2021 Fiat Swift MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Lights and electrics
    5% 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
    3% 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
    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.

  • Suspension
    1% 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.

  • 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.

Looking at a Fiat Swift?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022712Lights and electrics 6%
20201,185Tyres 6%
20191,659Tyres 9%
20181,683Tyres 11%
20171,546Tyres 11%
2016547Tyres 11%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2021 Fiat Swifts registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score