Fiat 124 (2016)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 1,250 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,078

£173/month

MOT Pass Rate

89%

Good

Road Tax

£275

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1600cc Petrol

Solid Option

89% pass rate, £2,078/year to run. 7 points above average.

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Petrol1600cc10 years old1,250 tests35k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1600cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£275

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,078

Per month£173/mo

Per week£40/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

89% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 7 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Fiat brand average of 83%.

89% of MOT tests on Fiat 124s from 2016 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 8 years old. That's based on 1,250 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 35,420 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2016 models227th of 539(top half)

Rank among Fiat models294th of 788(top half)

vs average of all models+7%(82% avg)

vs 2016 models average+4%(85% avg)

vs Fiat average+6%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

35,420

Average miles

59,200

Expected for age

The average 2016 Fiat 124 had 35,420 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2018 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 91%, while the 2016 model has the lowest at 89%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Fiat 124 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2018	91%	2,276	27,218 mi
2017	90%	1,559	30,222 mi
2016	89%	1,250	35,420 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Vauxhall Corsa

2015 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,153/year

78%

-11%

Ford Focus

2014 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,078/year

80%

-9%

Nissan Qashqai

2017 · 1200cc Petrol

£1,780/year

86%

-3%

Volkswagen Polo

2015 · 1198cc Petrol

£1,750/year

82%

-7%

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About the 2016 Fiat 124

The 2016 Fiat 124 is a small family car. Our records list a 1600cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 1,250 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all models from 2016, the average MOT pass rate is 85%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 35,420 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Fiat 124 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2016 Fiat 124 Fuel Costs

The 1600cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2016 Fiat 124?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,078 (£173/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 89% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Fiat 124 Reliability Trend

The Fiat 124 has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 2 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2016 Fiat 124

At 10 years old, the Fiat 124 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 10 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2016 Fiat 124 stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Fiat 124(2016)	89%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,078
Vauxhall Corsa(2015)	78%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£75
Ford Focus(2014)	80%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,078same
Nissan Qashqai(2017)	86%	£1,175	£200	Grp 5-15	£1,780-£298
Volkswagen Polo(2015)	82%	£1,175	£170	Grp 5-15	£1,750-£328

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2016 Fiat 124

Is the 2016 Fiat 124 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 89% of MOT tests on 2016 Fiat 124s ended in a pass, from 1,250 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 7 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2016 Fiat 124 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,078 a year (£173 a month): £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2016 Fiat 124?

89% of 1,250 MOT tests on the 2016 Fiat 124 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 227th of 539 models first registered in 2016 (top half).

Which year Fiat 124 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2018 Fiat 124 has the highest MOT pass rate at 91% and the 2016 the lowest at 89%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2016 Fiat 124?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2016 Fiat 124 is 35,420 miles, which is below the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.