Fiat 500x MOT pass rate and common problems
81.3% of 52,022 Fiat 500x MOT tests pass.
The 500x passes its MOT 81.3% of the time — well above the average across all Fiat models, which sits at 74.3%.
The Fiat 500x has a pass rate of 81.3%, a little higher than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Fiat 500x?
This is the average across every Fiat 500x in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Fiat’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 92.8% at 0–3 years to 78.2% at 6–10 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 92.8% | 1,785 | 24,334 miles |
| 3–6 years | 89.8% | 11,704 | 32,686 miles |
| 6–10 years | 78.2% | 38,533 | 57,781 miles |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Fiat 500x
The most common reason the Fiat 500x fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 37.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 37.6% | Not working |
| Tyres | 29.9% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Steering | 24.7% | Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Suspension | 17.9% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Brakes | 13.8% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 10.7% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Visibility | 10.4% | Provides insufficient washer liquid |
| Body, chassis, structure | 3.7% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.0% | Buckle not functioning as intended |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.0% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Fiat 500x: what to check
These checks follow the Fiat 500x’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Fiat 500x comes between 3–6 years and 6–10 years old, from 89.8% to 78.2%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 91.9% down to 82.0%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 37.6% of failed Fiat 500x MOTs. 11.0% of tests at 6–10 years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.2% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Tyres
Recorded in 29.9% of failed Fiat 500x MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
3. Steering
Recorded in 24.7% of failed Fiat 500x MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 7.7% of tests at 6–10 years failed on steering.
The steering should feel precise, without knocks or play, and the car should run straight. Turn to full lock both ways and listen for clunks.
4. Suspension
Recorded in 17.9% of failed Fiat 500x MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 5.1% of tests at 6–10 years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
5. Brakes
Recorded in 13.8% of failed Fiat 500x MOTs. 4.0% of tests at 6–10 years failed on brakes, against 0.9% at 0–3 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Fiat service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Fiat models
- Fiat Ducato — 78.1% pass rate
- Fiat Punto — 63.8% pass rate
- Fiat Doblo — 69.9% pass rate
- Fiat 500c — 74.2% pass rate
- Fiat 500l — 70.8% pass rate
- Fiat Tipo — 78.8% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Fiat 500x?
- 81.3% of Fiat 500x MOT tests pass, based on 52,022 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Fiat 500x?
- The most common reason the Fiat 500x fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 37.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Fiat 500x?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Fiat 500x are lights and electrics; tyres; steering. 11.0% of tests at 6–10 years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.2% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Fiat 500x?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; tyres; steering; suspension; brakes. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Fiat 500x's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Fiat service history guide for how to check and keep one.