FIAT SEICENTO (1999)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 340 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£1,730
£144/month
MOT Pass Rate
68%
Below Avg
Road Tax
£20
Based on CC/year
Insurance
Grp 1-8
899cc Petrol
Proceed With Caution
68% pass rate, £1730/year to run. 14 points below average.
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Annual Running Costs
~50 mpg
Based on 899cc
Higher estimate due to low pass rate
Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.
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Reliability Verdict
Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 14 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the FIAT brand average of 83%.
At 27 years old, 68% of FIAT SEICENTOs from 1999 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 340 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 55,623 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
55,623
Average miles
199,800
Expected for age
The average 1999 FIAT SEICENTO has 55,623 miles on the clock, 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?
The most reliable year is the 1998 model with a 75% MOT pass rate, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 65%. The 1999 sits between the two at 68%.
FIAT SEICENTO by Year
Similar Cars to Consider
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About the 1999 FIAT SEICENTO
The 1999 FIAT SEICENTO is a city car with a 899cc petrol engine. 340 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 82% of 1999 cars for MOT pass rates.
With an average of 55,623 miles at 27 years old, FIAT SEICENTO 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.
1999 FIAT SEICENTO Fuel Costs
The modest 899cc 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 £955 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).
What does it cost to own a 1999 FIAT SEICENTO?
Total estimated annual running cost is £1,730 (£144/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 68% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.
FIAT SEICENTO Reliability Trend
The FIAT SEICENTO has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 3 percentage points.
Buying a Used 1999 FIAT SEICENTO
At 27 years old, the FIAT SEICENTO 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 75%.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 1999 FIAT SEICENTO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Coil Pack Failure
Medium riskSmaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.
Rust and Corrosion
Watch outAt 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 outRubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.
Higher Than Average Failure Rate
Watch outWith a 68% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
Service History
Low riskAlways 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 1999 FIAT SEICENTO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Insurance | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIAT SEICENTO(1999) | 68% | £955 | £20 | Grp 1-8 | £1730 |
| TOYOTA YARIS(2001) | 71% | £1137 | £30 | Grp 8-20 | £1722-£8 |
| VAUXHALL CORSA(1999) | 89% | £955 | £30 | Grp 5-15 | £1390-£340 |
| NISSAN MICRA(2001) | 69% | £955 | £30 | Grp 1-8 | £1740+£10 |
| VAUXHALL ASTRA(2001) | 71% | £1137 | £30 | Grp 8-20 | £1722-£8 |
Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.
Related Fiat Models
Explore other Fiat cars or similar models in the same category.
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2016 · 1598cc Petrol
FIAT PANDA
2009 · 1248cc Petrol
TOYOTA YARIS
2001 · 1299cc Petrol
VAUXHALL CORSA
1999 · 1199cc Petrol
NISSAN MICRA
2001 · 998cc Petrol
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