Fiat Tipo MOT Failures

An analysis of 137,371 real DVSA MOT tests on the Fiat Tipo — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: 356 (2016–2021).

Where the Fiat Tipo fails its MOT

The single biggest MOT failure point on the Fiat Tipo is emissions failure — this model is 12 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 137,371 MOT tests, 1.07% of all Fiat Tipo tests recorded this as a failure.

Exhaust and emissions failures often point to catalytic converter degradation, lambda sensor faults, or — in diesel models — DPF problems. These can be expensive to fix and will cause an immediate MOT failure.

Other notable weak points include anti-roll bar links worn (7.2x the fleet average), abs fault (6.1x the fleet average), body panel damage (19x the fleet average), and light unit fault (17x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Fiat Tipo'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: Exhaust & Emissions, Suspension, Bodywork, Lights & Electrics, Brakes. If you're inspecting a Fiat Tipo 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 Tipo'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 Tipo specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are body panel damage (19x the average) and light unit fault (17x). anti-roll bar links worn (7.2x) and emissions failure (6.7x) 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 Tipo specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are emissions failure (12x the average) and anti-roll bar links worn (6.0x). abs fault (5.4x) and abs fault also appear frequently.

The shift from body panel damage at lower mileages to emissions failure 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 Tipo specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.

Shock absorber premature failure Major

The front and rear shock absorbers fail at unusually low mileages across all Tipo variants. Affects All; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£500.

Suspension component wear Major

Suspension bushes, ball joints, and mounting components wear prematurely on the Tipo, failing MOT tests at 8.3 times the national average. Affects All; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.

Engine management light - diesel variants Major

MultiJet diesel variants suffer from persistent engine management light illumination at The issue affects both 1.2 and 1.6-litre diesel engines and is often related to DPF system malfunctions, EGR valve issues, or emissions sensor failures. Affects All; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£800.

DPF issues Major

The diesel particulate filter system on MultiJet engines is prone to blockage and failure, particularly on vehicles used primarily for short urban journeys. Affects All; typical independent garage repair cost is £500–£1,200.

For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Fiat Tipo common problems breakdown.

What to check before buying a Fiat Tipo

Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Fiat Tipo:

Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure. Suspension — check for anti-roll bar links worn, abs fault. Bodywork — check for body panel damage.

Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about shock absorber premature failure and suspension component wear. 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.

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.