Fiat 124 MOT Failures
An analysis of 15,883 real DVSA MOT tests on the Fiat 124 — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: 124 (2016–2019).
Where the Fiat 124 fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Fiat 124 is suspension ball joints worn — this model is 86 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a major concern for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 15,883 MOT tests, 0.77% of all Fiat 124 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.
Other notable weak points include suspension pin, bush or joint worn (23x the fleet average) and headlight fault (22x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Fiat 124's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 2 categories: Suspension, Lights & Electrics. If you're inspecting a Fiat 124 before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
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 Fiat 124 specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Front coil spring failure (124) Dangerous
Front coil springs fracture or weaken seriously at 2.3 times the fleet average, with failures occurring surprisingly early in the vehicle's life. Affects 124; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£250.
Suspension component wear (124) Major
This affects the front lower arm bushes, anti-roll bar links, and track rod ends most commonly. Affects 124; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.
Brake disc warping and uneven wear (124) Major
The 124 Spider experiences brake disc problems at 3.6 times the national fleet average, with excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution appearing unusually early in the car's life. Affects 124; typical independent garage repair cost is £250–£400.
Wheel bearing wear (124) Major
Wheel bearings show excessive play at 3.3 times the fleet average, typically affecting the front bearings between 20,000-40,000 miles. Affects 124; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£300.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Fiat 124 common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Fiat 124
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Fiat 124:
Suspension — check for suspension ball joints worn, suspension pin, bush or joint worn. Lights & Electrics — check for headlight fault.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about front coil spring failure and suspension component 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 Fiat 124?
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Fiat 124 MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Fiat 124?
Based on 15,883 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is suspension ball joints worn — at 86x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include suspension pin, bush or joint worn and headlight fault.
Is the Fiat 124 reliable based on MOT data?
The Fiat 124 has 3 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag front coil spring failure 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 suspension ball joints worn, suspension pin, bush or joint worn, headlight fault.
How do I check a Fiat 124'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.