Used car guide

2020 Fiat 500L: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Fiat 500L first registered in 2020: we looked at the 192 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 192 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

192MOTs of 2020 cars, done in 2023–2025
80%pass first time (all 2020 cars: 87%)
5,400typical miles a year
24%had tyres flagged

Common 2020 Fiat 500L MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2020 Fiat 500L MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • Brakes
    12% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    11% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Suspension
    7% 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
    4% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    1% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 Fiat 500L

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 500L?

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 500L compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2021369Tyres 22%
2019484Tyres 25%
20181,784Tyres 29%
20172,616Tyres 32%
20164,831Tyres 31%
20158,853Tyres 33%
201420,230Tyres 34%
201312,338Tyres 34%

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 500L cars first registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score