Fiat Tipo MOT pass rate and common problems
78.8% of 17,249 Fiat Tipo MOT tests pass.
The Tipo has a pass rate of 78.8%, a little higher than the average across all Fiat models (74.3%).
The Fiat Tipo's pass rate of 78.8% is in line with the national average for cars, at 79.2%.
Own this Fiat Tipo?
This is the average across every Fiat Tipo 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 stays relatively stable with age: 86.2% at 0–3 years versus 85.2% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 86.2% | 673 | 26,664 miles |
| 3–6 years | 84.3% | 5,591 | 38,609 miles |
| 6–10 years | 75.5% | 10,877 | 59,910 miles |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | 85.2% | 108 | 78,996 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Fiat Tipo
The most common reason the Fiat Tipo fails its MOT is suspension — present in 36.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a serious fluid leak".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 36.7% | Has a serious fluid leak |
| Tyres | 29.4% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 26.7% | Not working |
| Brakes | 24.4% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Visibility | 19.9% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.9% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 2.8% | Cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |
| Road Wheels | 1.1% | Fixing missing |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.1% | Buckle not functioning as intended |
| Steering | 1.1% | Ball joint has excessive play |
Buying a used Fiat Tipo: what to check
These checks follow the Fiat Tipo’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 Tipo comes between 3–6 years and 6–10 years old, from 84.3% to 75.5%. 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: 89.0% down to 79.4%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Suspension
Recorded in 36.7% of failed Fiat Tipo MOTs. 12.4% of tests at 6–10 years failed on suspension, against 1.8% at 0–3 years.
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.
2. Tyres
Recorded in 29.4% of failed Fiat Tipo 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. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 26.7% of failed Fiat Tipo MOTs. 17.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 6.1% 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.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 24.4% of failed Fiat Tipo MOTs. 27.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 2.7% 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.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 19.9% of failed Fiat Tipo MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
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 500x — 81.3% pass rate
- Fiat 500c — 74.2% pass rate
- Fiat 500l — 70.8% pass rate
- Fiat Auto Trail — 93.5% pass rate
- Fiat Grande Punto — 62.9% pass rate
- Fiat Scudo — 59.9% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Fiat Tipo?
- 78.8% of Fiat Tipo MOT tests pass, based on 17,249 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Fiat Tipo?
- The most common reason the Fiat Tipo fails its MOT is suspension — present in 36.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a serious fluid leak".
- What are the common problems with the Fiat Tipo?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Fiat Tipo are suspension; tyres; lights and electrics. 12.4% of tests at 6–10 years failed on suspension, against 1.8% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Fiat Tipo?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: suspension; tyres; lights and electrics; brakes; windscreen and wipers. 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 Tipo'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.