Used car guide

2019 Fiat Tipo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2019 Fiat Tipos, from 1,623 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,623MOT tests in 2025
75%pass first time (all 2019 cars: 84%)
7,400typical miles a year
4.5×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2019 Fiat Tipos than on all cars registered in 2019.

  • Shock absorbers4.5× usual
    Fiat Tipo
    11.3% All 2019 cars
    2.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 0.4% of all 2019 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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints17.3× usual
    Fiat Tipo
    5.2% All 2019 cars
    0.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.1% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Track rod ends2.5× usual
    Fiat Tipo
    3% All 2019 cars
    1.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.5% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Coil springs2.6× usual
    Fiat Tipo
    2.3% All 2019 cars
    0.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 0.7% of all 2019 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.

By area

The share of 2019 Fiat Tipo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    33% 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
    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.

  • Brakes
    19% 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.

  • 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
    8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    5% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2021746Tyres 29%
20201,035Tyres 34%
20181,978Tyres 35%
20175,929Tyres 34%
20161,119Tyres 35%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2019 Fiat Tipos registered in 2019. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score