Fiat reliability and common MOT problems by model
Fiat shows a 21.4% combined MOT failure rate across 986,534 tests in MOTIntel data. Swift has one of the lower high-confidence rates at 5.7%. Bravo deserves extra checking at 31.2%.
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.
Fiat combined failure rate: 21.4% — all-model average is 18.7%. Ranked #36 of 48 makes by failure rate (1 = lowest). Raw rates reflect each make's fleet age mix — newer fleets naturally fail less.
Swift (5.7%), Auto Trail (6.0%), 500x (14.0%), Tipo (16.9%), Ducato (19.6%)
Bravo (31.2%), Scudo (30.1%), Grande Punto (27.7%), Grand Punto (27.2%), Punto (27.1%)
Most reliable Fiat models in MOT data
| # | Model | MOT failure rate | Tests | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fiat Swift | 5.7% | 6,909 tests | 6,195 vehicles |
| 2 | Fiat Auto Trail | 6.0% | 10,000 tests | 8,926 vehicles |
| 3 | Fiat 500x | 14.0% | 38,203 tests | 31,912 vehicles |
| 4 | Fiat Tipo | 16.9% | 14,433 tests | 11,492 vehicles |
| 5 | Fiat Ducato | 19.6% | 111,568 tests | 88,786 vehicles |
Fiat models with the highest MOT failure rates
| # | Model | MOT failure rate | Tests | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fiat Bravo | 31.2% | 8,931 tests | 6,184 vehicles |
| 2 | Fiat Scudo | 30.1% | 13,148 tests | 9,036 vehicles |
| 3 | Fiat Grande Punto | 27.7% | 10,267 tests | 7,290 vehicles |
| 4 | Fiat Grand Punto | 27.2% | 5,267 tests | 3,792 vehicles |
| 5 | Fiat Punto | 27.1% | 90,259 tests | 65,101 vehicles |
Common Fiat MOT problem areas
| # | Problem area | MOT notes | Models affected | What to check | High-rate examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Corrosion and structure | 281,029 MOT notes | 19 models | Inspect sills, subframes, suspension mounts, brake pipes, and previous welding or rust repairs. | Fiat Scudo, Fiat Grande Punto, Fiat Punto |
| 2 | Emissions, engine, and exhaust | 139,564 MOT notes | 19 models | Check cold starts, exhaust smoke, warning lights, service history, and recent emissions repairs. | Fiat Grande Punto, Fiat Punto, Fiat Grand Punto |
| 3 | Suspension and steering | 114,541 MOT notes | 19 models | Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and ask whether worn joints or bushes have been replaced. | Fiat Scudo, Fiat Bravo, Fiat Punto |
| 4 | Lights and electrical | 97,493 MOT notes | 19 models | Test every exterior light, warning lamp, horn, washer, and basic electrical function before buying. | Fiat Grande Punto, Fiat Grand Punto, Fiat Scudo |
| 5 | Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors | 73,126 MOT notes | 19 models | Check the windscreen, wipers, washers, mirrors, chips, cracks, and whether the driver's view is clear. | Fiat Fiorino, Fiat Scudo, Fiat Doblo |
| 6 | Tyres and wheels | 17,290 MOT notes | 19 models | Look for matching tyres, legal tread, sidewall damage, wheel damage, and uneven wear. | Fiat Scudo, Fiat Fiorino, Fiat 500 L |
All Fiat model reports
| Model | MOT tests | Vehicles | Failure rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 | 384,319 | 295,254 | 20.8% |
| Panda | 117,602 | 88,863 | 22.9% |
| Ducato | 111,568 | 88,786 | 19.6% |
| Punto | 90,259 | 65,101 | 27.1% |
| Doblo | 58,164 | 42,891 | 23.3% |
| 500x | 38,203 | 31,912 | 14.0% |
| 500l | 22,165 | 16,792 | 20.9% |
| 500c | 21,623 | 16,596 | 21.2% |
| Tipo | 14,433 | 11,492 | 16.9% |
| Scudo | 13,148 | 9,036 | 30.1% |
| Fiorino | 10,727 | 7,782 | 25.2% |
| Grande Punto | 10,267 | 7,290 | 27.7% |
| Auto Trail | 10,000 | 8,926 | 6.0% |
| Bravo | 8,931 | 6,184 | 31.2% |
| Swift | 6,909 | 6,195 | 5.7% |
| Qubo | 5,854 | 4,333 | 23.7% |
| Unclassified limited data | 5,842 | 4,956 | 11.6% |
| 500 L | 5,514 | 4,036 | 24.0% |
| 500 C | 5,456 | 4,007 | 24.4% |
| Grand Punto | 5,267 | 3,792 | 27.2% |
| Punto Evo limited data | 4,669 | 3,295 | 27.1% |
| Doblo Cargo limited data | 3,853 | 2,749 | 28.4% |
| 500 Lounge Mhev limited data | 3,813 | 3,454 | 7.5% |
| Fullback limited data | 3,296 | 2,838 | 11.6% |
| 124 limited data | 3,113 | 2,748 | 9.3% |
| Roller Team limited data | 3,014 | 2,664 | 8.3% |
| Motorhome limited data | 2,639 | 2,052 | 19.9% |
| Talento limited data | 2,541 | 1,925 | 21.3% |
| 500 Star limited data | 2,253 | 1,962 | 9.4% |
| Seicento limited data | 2,239 | 1,610 | 31.1% |
| Sedici limited data | 1,902 | 1,341 | 29.8% |
| Hymer limited data | 1,658 | 1,346 | 16.2% |
| Stilo limited data | 1,471 | 1,049 | 33.6% |
| 500 Rockstar limited data | 1,390 | 1,197 | 10.2% |
| Multipla limited data | 1,383 | 966 | 31.8% |
| Coupe limited data | 1,049 | 804 | 25.1% |
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.