Fiat 500 C (2012)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 1,530 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,750

£146/month

MOT Pass Rate

77%

Average

Road Tax

£20

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 1-8

875cc Petrol

Check Carefully

77% pass rate, £1,750/year to run. 5 points below average.

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Petrol875cc14 years old1,530 tests67k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 875cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£20

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£1,750

Per month£146/mo

Per week£34/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

77% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Fiat brand average of 83%.

77% of MOT tests on Fiat 500 Cs from 2012 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 12 years old. That's based on 1,530 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 67,489 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2012 models461st of 650(bottom half)

Rank among Fiat models512th of 788(bottom half)

vs average of all models-5%(82% avg)

vs 2012 models average-1%(78% avg)

vs Fiat average-6%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

67,489

Average miles

88,800

Expected for age

The average 2012 Fiat 500 C had 67,489 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-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 2014 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 81%, while the 2009 model has the lowest at 70%. The 2012 scores 77%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Fiat 500 C by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2014	81%	1,150	52,168 mi
2013	77%	1,020	58,419 mi
2012	77%	1,530	67,489 mi
2011	75%	2,663	69,507 mi
2010	73%	1,338	72,257 mi
2009	70%	820	76,306 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Fiesta

2014 · 998cc Petrol

£1,750/year

79%

+2%

Volkswagen Polo

2011 · 1198cc Petrol

£1,900/year

75%

-2%

Peugeot 208

2013 · 999cc Petrol

£1,750/year

75%

-2%

Vauxhall Mokka

2014 · 1364cc Petrol

£2,153/year

78%

+1%

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About the 2012 Fiat 500 C

The 2012 Fiat 500 C is a city car. Our records list a 875cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 1,530 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all models from 2012, the average MOT pass rate is 78%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 67,489 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Fiat 500 C owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2012 Fiat 500 C Fuel Costs

The modest 875cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,175 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 2012 Fiat 500 C?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,750 (£146/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 77% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Fiat 500 C Reliability Trend

Newer Fiat 500 Cs pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 6 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2012 Fiat 500 C

At 14 years old, the Fiat 500 C 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. If you're flexible on year, the 2014 model has the highest pass rate at 81%.

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.

Coil Pack Failure

Medium risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

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 2012 Fiat 500 C 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 500 C(2012)	77%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,750
Ford Fiesta(2014)	79%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,750same
Volkswagen Polo(2011)	75%	£1,175	£170	Grp 5-15	£1,900+£150
Peugeot 208(2013)	75%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,750same
Vauxhall Mokka(2014)	78%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£403

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 2012 Fiat 500 C

Is the 2012 Fiat 500 C reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 77% of MOT tests on 2012 Fiat 500 Cs ended in a pass, from 1,530 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 5 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2012 Fiat 500 C cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,750 a year (£146 a month): £1,175 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 Fiat 500 C?

77% of 1,530 MOT tests on the 2012 Fiat 500 C ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 461st of 650 models first registered in 2012 (bottom half).

Which year Fiat 500 C has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2014 Fiat 500 C has the highest MOT pass rate at 81% and the 2009 the lowest at 70%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2012 Fiat 500 C?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2012 Fiat 500 C is 67,489 miles, which is below the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.