Fiat Seicento (2003)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 876 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,100

£175/month

MOT Pass Rate

65%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£170

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 5-15

1108cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

65% pass rate, £2,100/year to run. 17 points below average.

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Petrol1108cc23 years old876 tests59k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1108cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£170

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,100

Per month£175/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

65% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 17 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Fiat brand average of 83%.

65% of MOT tests on Fiat Seicentos from 2003 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 21 years old. That's based on 876 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 58,623 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 models380th of 429(bottom 12%)

Rank among Fiat models748th of 788(bottom 6%)

vs average of all models-17%(82% avg)

vs 2003 models average-7%(72% avg)

vs Fiat average-18%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

58,623

Average miles

155,400

Expected for age

The average 2003 Fiat Seicento had 58,623 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-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 75%, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 65%. The 2003 scores 65%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Fiat Seicento by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2003	65%	876	58,623 mi
2002	68%	625	60,168 mi
2001	66%	481	58,720 mi
2000	65%	275	54,431 mi
1999	68%	340	55,623 mi
1998	75%	118	54,569 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

MINI

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,228/year

71%

+6%

Ford Focus

2005 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

71%

+6%

Ford Fiesta

2003 · 1388cc Petrol

£2,153/year

71%

+6%

Toyota Yaris

2005 · 1299cc Petrol

£2,153/year

73%

+8%

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About the 2003 Fiat Seicento

The 2003 Fiat Seicento is a city car. Our records list a 1108cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 876 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 12% of 2003 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 58,623 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, 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.

2003 Fiat Seicento Fuel Costs

The modest 1108cc 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 2003 Fiat Seicento?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,100 (£175/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £170 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 65% 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 2003 Fiat Seicento

At 23 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

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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 65% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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 2003 Fiat Seicento 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 Seicento(2003)	65%	£1,175	£170	Grp 5-15	£2,100
MINI(2005)	71%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228+£128
Ford Focus(2005)	71%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228+£128
Ford Fiesta(2003)	71%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£53
Toyota Yaris(2005)	73%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£53

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 2003 Fiat Seicento

Is the 2003 Fiat Seicento reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 65% of MOT tests on 2003 Fiat Seicentos ended in a pass, from 876 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 17 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2003 Fiat Seicento cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,100 a year (£175 a month): £1,175 fuel, £170 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Fiat Seicento?

65% of 876 MOT tests on the 2003 Fiat Seicento ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 380th of 429 models first registered in 2003 (bottom 12%).

Which year Fiat Seicento has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1998 Fiat Seicento has the highest MOT pass rate at 75% and the 2000 the lowest at 65%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2003 Fiat Seicento?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2003 Fiat Seicento is 58,623 miles, which is significantly below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.