Fiat Barchetta (1997)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 196 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,561

£213/month

MOT Pass Rate

74%

Average

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1747cc Petrol

Check Carefully

74% pass rate, £2,561/year to run. 8 points below average.

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Petrol1747cc29 years old196 tests65k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1747cc)

~36 mpg

£1,631

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,561

Per month£213/mo

Per week£49/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

74% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 8 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Fiat brand average of 83%.

74% of MOT tests on Fiat Barchettas from 1997 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 27 years old. That's based on 196 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 64,846 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 models174th of 306(bottom half)

Rank among Fiat models578th of 788(bottom half)

vs average of all models-8%(82% avg)

vs 1997 models average-1%(75% avg)

vs Fiat average-9%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

64,846

Average miles

199,800

Expected for age

The average 1997 Fiat Barchetta had 64,846 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1998 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 80%, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 68%. The 1997 scores 74%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Fiat Barchetta by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2005	84%	50	51,070 mi
2004	85%	39	54,538 mi
2001	76%	38	67,326 mi
2000	68%	143	77,918 mi
1999	79%	141	66,206 mi
1998	80%	204	66,354 mi
1997	74%	196	64,846 mi
1996	78%	120	70,626 mi
1995	68%	57	88,062 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Mazda MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,328/year

73%

-1%

Volkswagen Golf

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,561/year

71%

-3%

Nissan Micra

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£2,183/year

70%

-4%

BMW 3 Series

1998 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,561/year

79%

+5%

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About the 1997 Fiat Barchetta

The 1997 Fiat Barchetta is a family car. Our records list a 1747cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 196 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all models from 1997, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 64,846 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Fiat Barchetta owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1997 Fiat Barchetta Fuel Costs

The 1747cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,631 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 1997 Fiat Barchetta?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,561 (£213/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 74% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Fiat Barchetta Reliability Trend

The Fiat Barchetta has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 0 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1997 Fiat Barchetta

At 29 years old, the Fiat Barchetta 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 1998 model has the highest pass rate at 80%.

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 29 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 1997 Fiat Barchetta 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 Barchetta(1997)	74%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561
Mazda MX-5(1999)	73%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328-£233
Volkswagen Golf(1999)	71%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561same
Nissan Micra(1999)	70%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183-£378
BMW 3 Series(1998)	79%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561same

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 1997 Fiat Barchetta

Is the 1997 Fiat Barchetta reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 74% of MOT tests on 1997 Fiat Barchettas ended in a pass, from 196 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 8 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1997 Fiat Barchetta cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,561 a year (£213 a month): £1,631 fuel, £375 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 1997 Fiat Barchetta?

74% of 196 MOT tests on the 1997 Fiat Barchetta ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 174th of 306 models first registered in 1997 (bottom half).

Which year Fiat Barchetta has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1998 Fiat Barchetta has the highest MOT pass rate at 80% and the 2000 the lowest at 68%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1997 Fiat Barchetta?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1997 Fiat Barchetta is 64,846 miles, which is significantly below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.