Fiat 500

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 16 model years from 574,863 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

80%

Total Tests

574,863

Highest Pass Rate

2021 (93%)

Years Covered

About the Fiat 500

The Fiat 500 was MOT tested 574,863 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 16 model years (2001 to 2021), with an average pass rate of 80%. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data. Our records list diesel and petrol versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 93% from 195 tests. The 2007 model has the lowest at 72%. With a 21 point gap, the year you choose makes a real difference. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

Newer Fiat 500s pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 11 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (2001) averages 34,363 miles, while the newest (2021) averages 18,379 miles.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1242cc)

£1,401

Road Tax

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£1,856

Per month£155/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.88p petrol and 199.52p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 5 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2021 details

How reliable is the Fiat 500?

vs average of all models-2% (82% avg)

vs Fiat brand average-3% (83% avg)

Best to worst year spread21 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Fiat 500 by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	93%	195	18,379 mi
2020	92%	7,732	23,865 mi
2019	90%	31,868	27,173 mi
2018	86%	40,756	33,498 mi
2017	83%	39,899	40,199 mi
2016	80%	56,821	45,258 mi
2015	78%	69,392	51,933 mi
2014	78%	73,839	58,446 mi
2013	78%	63,361	63,074 mi
2012	76%	51,956	68,150 mi
2011	75%	36,701	72,823 mi
2010	73%	39,852	77,223 mi
2009	72%	38,991	82,820 mi
2008	72%	23,228	86,722 mi
2007	72%	241	89,332 mi
2001	81%	31	34,363 mi

Questions about the Fiat 500

Is the Fiat 500 reliable?

Across its 16 model years in our data (2001 to 2021), the Fiat 500 averages an 80% MOT pass rate, from 574,863 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 2 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 2021 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 93%.

Which year Fiat 500 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 Fiat 500 has the highest MOT pass rate at 93%, while the 2007 model has the lowest at 72%, a 21 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.