Used car guide · 1989–2024

Fiat Tipo common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Fiat Tipo, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 36,988 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 1994 Fiat Tipo

Too few Fiat Tipo cars first registered in 1994 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Fiat Tipo as a whole.

74on the UK register at the end of 2025
Petrolmost common fuel (also diesel)
What to check on a 1994 car
  • MOT history

    Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.

  • Service history

    Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.

  • Finance and write-offs

    MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.

  • Test drive

    Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2024202320222021202020192018201720161995199419931992199119901989

What usually goes wrong with a Fiat Tipo?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Fiat Tipo in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common Fiat Tipo MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 20× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

    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.

  • Shock absorbers

    up to 5.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

    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.

  • Wipers

    up to 3.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

  • Coil springs

    up to 3.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2017 and 2018.

    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.

  • Engine warning light

    up to 2.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2016 and 2018.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Brake discs

    up to 1.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2017 and 2021.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

Fiat Tipo MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2020 Fiat Tipo did best (82% passed first time, 5 points below all 2020 cars) and the 2021 did worst (76%, 11 points below all 2021 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202284%89% -5220 (small sample)
202176%87% -111,451
202082%87% -53,072
201978%85% -74,802
201874%83% -95,960
201769%80% -1118,059
201672%77% -53,424

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Fiat Tipo

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

  1. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 20× as often on the Fiat Tipo as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 5.4× as often on the Fiat Tipo as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the wipers? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the Fiat Tipo as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Fiat Tipo?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score