Fiat 500l MOT Failures
An analysis of 190,123 real DVSA MOT tests on the Fiat 500l — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: 330 (2012–2021).
Where the Fiat 500l fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Fiat 500l is suspension pin, bush or joint — this model is 14 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it worth watching for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 190,123 MOT tests, 0.39% of all Fiat 500l 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 seat mounting fault (17x the fleet average), engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det... (10x the fleet average), cable damaged or knotted (9.4x the fleet average), and fuel system leaking or a risk of fire (14x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Fiat 500l'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 6 categories: Suspension, Seatbelts & Airbags, Bodywork, Brakes, Lights & Electrics and others. If you're inspecting a Fiat 500l 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.
How failures change with mileage
The Fiat 500l's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Fiat 500l specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are seat mounting fault (17x the average) and fuel system leaking or a risk of fire (14x). suspension pin, bush or joint (14x) and headlight fault (12x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Fiat 500l specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are seat mounting fault (15x the average) and suspension pin, bush or joint (10x). engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det... (10x) and headlight fault (9.4x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Fiat 500l specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are suspension pin, bush or joint (9.7x the average) and engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det... (9.6x). cable damaged or knotted (9.4x) and seat mounting fault (5.8x) also appear frequently.
The shift from seat mounting fault at lower mileages to suspension pin, bush or joint at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
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 500l specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Fuel system leak risk Dangerous
The 1.2 MultiJet diesel variant shows fuel system leaks at 70.7 times the national fleet average, specifically in the 40,000-60,000 mile range. Affects 330; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£800.
Suspension component joint likely to detach Dangerous
MOT data shows suspension pins, bushes, or joints reaching the point of likely detachment at 70.7 times the fleet average, peaking on 1.6 diesel variants at 60,000-80,000 miles. Affects 330; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£500.
Engine mounting severe deterioration Major
MOT testers classify this as 'severely damaged or deteriorated resulting in excessive movement', indicating mounts that have failed beyond acceptable limits. Affects 330; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.
Steering rack gaiter damage and contamination Major
MOT data shows steering rack gaiter failures at rates up to 70.7 times the national average, with the trend worsening. Affects 330; typical independent garage repair cost is £80–£200.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Fiat 500l common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Fiat 500l
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Fiat 500l:
Suspension — check for suspension pin, bush or joint. Seatbelts & Airbags — check for seat mounting fault. Bodywork — check for engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det..., fuel system leaking or a risk of fire. Brakes — check for cable damaged or knotted, parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about fuel system leak risk and suspension component joint likely to detach. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £300. 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 500l?
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Fiat 500l MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Fiat 500l?
Based on 190,123 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is suspension pin, bush or joint — at 14x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include seat mounting fault and engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det....
Is the Fiat 500l reliable based on MOT data?
The Fiat 500l has 14 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag fuel system leak risk as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Fiat 500l most commonly fails on suspension pin, bush or joint and engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det.... Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are seat mounting fault and fuel system leaking or a risk of fire.
How do I check a Fiat 500l'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.