2021 Fiat 500X: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the Fiat 500X first registered in 2021: we looked at the 3,225 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Common 2021 Fiat 500X MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2021 Fiat 500X MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres26% 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.
- Brakes8% 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 mirrors4% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Lights and electrics4% 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 seatbelts3% of testsRough price £80–£250
At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.
- Suspension2% 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.
Known faults on the 2021 Fiat 500X
Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.
- All engines
Poor reliability record
The 500X and its Jeep Renegade twin have done poorly in What Car?'s surveys, with electrical faults, warning lights, infotainment glitches and diesel engine management problems that can be costly out of warranty.
At the viewing: Test the electrics and check no warnings stay on.
- Some cars
Rear seat latch and gearbox recalls
About 25,500 cars were recalled because the rear seat back could unlatch in a crash. Others covered airbag software, an automatic that could slip into neutral, and the 48-volt battery on mild hybrids.
At the viewing: Ask a Fiat dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2021 Fiat 500X
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- What has gone wrong and been fixed?
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Fiat 500X?
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 500X compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2023 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2022 | 948 | Tyres 33% |
| 2020 | 6,307 | Tyres 28% |
| 2019 | 9,899 | Tyres 31% |
| 2018 | 8,487 | Tyres 33% |
| 2017 | 13,962 | Tyres 34% |
| 2016 | 40,872 | Tyres 35% |
| 2015 | 21,222 | Tyres 35% |
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 500X cars first registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score