Abarth 595c MOT Failures
An analysis of 14,876 real DVSA MOT tests on the Abarth 595c — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: 595C (2012–2022).
Where the Abarth 595c fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Abarth 595c is abs fault — this model is 16 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 14,876 MOT tests, 1.5% of all Abarth 595c tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Abarth 595c specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Suspension bush premature wear (595C)
The Abarth 595C suspension bushes wear at significantly higher rates than typical superminis, with MOT failures appearing from very low mileages. Affects 595C; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£400.
Shock absorber wear (595C)
The performance-oriented Bilstein dampers fitted to the Abarth 595C show higher failure rates than conventional supermini shock absorbers. Affects 595C; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.
Brake disc premature wear (595C)
The Brembo brake system on the Abarth 595C shows higher disc wear rates than typical city cars, with MOT failures appearing at unusually low mileages. Affects 595C; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£350.
Engine management warning light (595C)
The Abarth 595C shows higher rates of engine management light illumination than typical cars, particularly on low-mileage examples. Affects 595C; typical independent garage repair cost is £80–£200.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Abarth 595c common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Abarth 595c
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Abarth 595c:
Suspension — check for abs fault, suspension pin, bush or joint worn.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about suspension bush premature wear and shock absorber wear. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £150. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Abarth 595c?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Abarth 595c MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Abarth 595c?
Based on 14,876 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is abs fault — at 16x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include suspension pin, bush or joint worn.
Is the Abarth 595c reliable based on MOT data?
The Abarth 595c has 2 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag suspension bush premature wear as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
The most common high-mileage failures include abs fault, suspension pin, bush or joint worn.
How do I check a Abarth 595c's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.