Abarth reliability and common MOT problems by model
Abarth shows a 15.4% combined MOT failure rate across 28,829 tests in MOTIntel data. 595 has one of the lower high-confidence rates at 14.0%. 500 deserves extra checking at 21.7%.
Statistics are built from DVSA MOT tests carried out in calendar year 2023, plus official recall records and MOT fault wording data. Report index generated 2026-05-09.
Abarth combined failure rate: 15.4% — all-model average is 18.7%. Ranked #10 of 48 makes by failure rate (1 = lowest). Raw rates reflect each make's fleet age mix — newer fleets naturally fail less.
595 (14.0%), 500 (21.7%)
500 (21.7%), 595 (14.0%)
Most reliable Abarth models in MOT data
| # | Model | MOT failure rate | Tests | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abarth 595 | 14.0% | 18,903 tests | 15,573 vehicles |
| 2 | Abarth 500 | 21.7% | 6,844 tests | 5,180 vehicles |
Abarth models with the highest MOT failure rates
| # | Model | MOT failure rate | Tests | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abarth 500 | 21.7% | 6,844 tests | 5,180 vehicles |
| 2 | Abarth 595 | 14.0% | 18,903 tests | 15,573 vehicles |
Common Abarth MOT problem areas
| # | Problem area | MOT notes | Models affected | What to check | High-rate examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Corrosion and structure | 2,873 MOT notes | 2 models | Inspect sills, subframes, suspension mounts, brake pipes, and previous welding or rust repairs. | Abarth 500, Abarth 595 |
| 2 | Suspension and steering | 1,622 MOT notes | 2 models | Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and ask whether worn joints or bushes have been replaced. | Abarth 500, Abarth 595 |
| 3 | Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors | 1,392 MOT notes | 2 models | Check the windscreen, wipers, washers, mirrors, chips, cracks, and whether the driver's view is clear. | Abarth 500, Abarth 595 |
| 4 | Lights and electrical | 1,043 MOT notes | 2 models | Test every exterior light, warning lamp, horn, washer, and basic electrical function before buying. | Abarth 500, Abarth 595 |
| 5 | Emissions, engine, and exhaust | 1,043 MOT notes | 2 models | Check cold starts, exhaust smoke, warning lights, service history, and recent emissions repairs. | Abarth 500, Abarth 595 |
| 6 | Tyres and wheels | 427 MOT notes | 2 models | Look for matching tyres, legal tread, sidewall damage, wheel damage, and uneven wear. | Abarth 595, Abarth 500 |
All Abarth model reports
| Model | MOT tests | Vehicles | Failure rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 595 | 18,903 | 15,573 | 14.0% |
| 500 | 6,844 | 5,180 | 21.7% |
| 595c limited data | 1,982 | 1,669 | 11.2% |
| 124 Spider Multiair limited data | 1,100 | 981 | 6.4% |
Models with limited data (fewer than 20,000 tests or 10,000 vehicles) have full reports but are not indexed in search engines until the evidence threshold is met.