Used car guide

2023 Fiat 500: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Fiat 500 first registered in 2023: we looked at the 736 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

736MOTs of 2023 cars, done in 2023–2025
93%pass first time (all 2023 cars: 92%)
9,800typical miles a year
14%had tyres flagged

Common 2023 Fiat 500 MOT failures and advisories

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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2023 Fiat 500

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Fiat 500?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Fiat 500 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
202212,661Tyres 23%
202124,941Tyres 26%
202041,358Tyres 26%
201963,151Tyres 28%
201869,716Tyres 32%
201767,138Tyres 33%
201692,729Suspension 35%
2015109,474Suspension 42%
2014120,269Suspension 43%
2013103,909Suspension 44%
201282,129Suspension 49%
201160,514Suspension 49%
201060,893Suspension 51%
200957,781Suspension 55%
200832,374Suspension 53%
2007373Suspension 51%
1973–Too few tests
1972–Too few tests
1971–Too few tests
1970–Too few tests
1969–Too few tests
1968–Too few tests
1967–Too few tests
1966–Too few tests
1965–Too few tests
1964–Too few tests
1963–Too few tests
1938–Too few tests
1937–Too few tests

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