Fiat Bravo MOT Failures
An analysis of 123,931 real DVSA MOT tests on the Fiat Bravo — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: 198 (2007–2019).
Where the Fiat Bravo fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Fiat Bravo is exhaust system damage — this model is 22 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 123,931 MOT tests, 8.63% of all Fiat Bravo tests recorded this as a failure.
Bodywork failures usually mean structural corrosion — not cosmetic rust, but rot that affects the car's structural integrity. Check sills, subframes, and chassis rails carefully, especially on older examples.
Other notable weak points include emissions failure (19x the fleet average), brake hoses perished or damaged (9.9x the fleet average), subframe bushes or mounts worn (24x the fleet average), and stop lamps remain on when the brakes are released (20x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Fiat Bravo'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 5 categories: Bodywork, Exhaust & Emissions, Brakes, Suspension, Lights & Electrics. If you're inspecting a Fiat Bravo 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 Bravo'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 Bravo specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are abs fault (153x the average) and subframe bushes or mounts worn (24x). exhaust system damage (22x) and headlight fault (17x) 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 Bravo specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are stop lamps remain on when the brakes are released (20x the average) and body panel damage (19x). emissions failure (19x) and axle or kingpin wear (11x) 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 Bravo specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are stop lamps remain on when the brakes are released (19x the average) and engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det... (15x). body panel damage (15x) and emissions failure (13x) also appear frequently.
The shift from abs fault at lower mileages to stop lamps remain on when the brakes are released 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 Bravo specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Suspension component corrosion and failure (198) Dangerous
The Bravo suffers from severe corrosion of suspension components including control arms, subframes, and mounting points. Affects 198; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£1,500.
Body structure corrosion (198) Dangerous
The Bravo suffers from significant structural corrosion issues with MOT failure rates 8.2 times higher than the national average. Affects 198; typical independent garage repair cost is £500–£3,000.
Engine mount failure (198) Major
Engine mount failure is exceptionally common on the Bravo, particularly affecting diesel variants. Affects 198; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£350.
Diesel emissions system deterioration (198) Major
Diesel variants suffer from high rates of emissions failures, with smoke opacity levels exceeding legal limits at 18.8 times the national average. Affects 198; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£1,500.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Fiat Bravo common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Fiat Bravo
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Fiat Bravo:
Bodywork — check for exhaust system damage, body panel damage, engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det.... Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure. Brakes — check for brake hoses perished or damaged. Suspension — check for subframe bushes or mounts worn.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about suspension component corrosion and failure and body structure corrosion. 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 Bravo?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Fiat Bravo MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Fiat Bravo?
Based on 123,931 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is exhaust system damage — at 22x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include emissions failure and brake hoses perished or damaged.
Is the Fiat Bravo reliable based on MOT data?
The Fiat Bravo has 21 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag suspension component corrosion and failure 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 Bravo most commonly fails on stop lamps remain on when the brakes are released and engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det.... Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are abs fault and subframe bushes or mounts worn.
How do I check a Fiat Bravo'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.