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Fiat MOT Failure Rate UK 2026

How often does a Fiat fail its MOT first time, and how does that compare to the UK average? The numbers below are based on DVSA MOT test data averaged across all Fiat models.

By Bertram Sargla, Founder, MOT CheckupLast updated: 2026-05-06Data sourced from DVSA

Fiat MOT failure rate: approximately 24.7% of Fiat cars fail their MOT first time in the UK, giving a pass rate of 75.3%. That’s better than the UK national failure rate of 36% — Fiat ranks #5 least reliable brand for MOT in 2026.

Fiat first-time MOT pass rate

75.3%

Implied failure rate: 24.7% · UK average pass rate: 64%

vs UK average

+11.3 pp

pass-rate gap vs national 64% average

Brand ranking

#5 least reliable

in our 2026 UK brand ranking

Fiat vs the UK average

The UK national first-time MOT pass rate sits at around 64%, which means roughly 36% of cars fail on their first attempt. Fiat’s pass rate of 75.3% is 11.3 percentage points above that — a meaningfully stronger result than the average UK car. Owners can expect fewer surprises at MOT time, although age and maintenance still matter more than badge.

Fiat pass rate75.3%
UK average pass rate64%

Check a specific Fiat by registration

Brand averages are useful, but a single car’s history is what actually matters when you buy. Enter the reg for the full MOT history — free, instant.

UK

Free MOT check — see every test result since 2005 at /free-mot-check.

Most common failure points for Fiat

Aggregated across all Fiat models in our data set. These are the categories most likely to trigger an MOT failure.

1

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

15.7%
2

Suspension

13.3%
3

Brakes

11.7%
4

Tyres

10.6%
5

Exhaust, fuel and emissions

7.5%

How to improve your Fiat’s chances of passing

  • Check every bulb. Lighting and electrical faults are the single most common MOT failure category in the UK — a £3 bulb is the easiest fix on the list.
  • Inspect tyre tread and pressures. The legal minimum is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread. Anything under 2 mm is a near-certain advisory and often a fail.
  • Top up screenwash and check wipers. An empty washer bottle is an automatic fail. Wiper blades that smear or chatter will also be flagged.
  • Listen for suspension knocks. Worn drop links, top mounts and bushes are a frequentFiat failure point. A pre-MOT check at a garage is cheaper than a retest fee.
  • Clear all dashboard warning lights. Permanent ABS, airbag, ESP or tyre-pressure warnings are direct MOT failures under the post-2018 testing rules.
  • Don’t skip advisories from the last test. Today’s advisory is tomorrow’s failure. Pull up the last MOT report and address anything that was flagged.

Fiat MOT failure rate — FAQ

What is the Fiat MOT failure rate in the UK?
The Fiat MOT failure rate is approximately 24.7%, meaning around 24.7 in every 100 Fiat cars fail their MOT first time. The corresponding pass rate is 75.3%. This is better than the UK national average failure rate of 36%.
How does the Fiat pass rate compare to the UK average?
Fiat has a first-time MOT pass rate of 75.3% versus the UK national average of around 64%. That's a difference of 11.3 percentage points above the national average.
What are the most common reasons a Fiat fails its MOT?
The most common MOT failure categories for Fiat cars are: lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment (15.7%), suspension (13.3%), brakes (11.7%). These align with the UK pattern, where lighting, suspension, brakes, and tyres account for the majority of failures.
How can I check the MOT history of a specific Fiat?
Enter the registration on our free MOT check tool to see every test result, advisories, dangerous defects, and mileage readings since 2005. The full history will tell you whether a particular Fiat has been well maintained, regardless of the brand average.
Are these Fiat failure rates official DVSA figures?
The figures are derived from DVSA MOT test data analysed by MOT Checkup. The pass rate represents an average across all Fiat models and recent year ranges. Individual models — and specific cars — vary considerably; check the model page or the registration's full MOT history for a more precise picture.

Check a Fiat’s MOT history

Enter the registration to see every test result, advisory, and mileage reading — free.

UK

Source: MOT Checkup analysis of DVSA MOT test data, brand-average pass rates as published in our MOT Failure Rates by Make 2026 ranking. Common-failure breakdowns averaged across Fiat models in our reliability dataset. Individual cars vary — always check the specific registration’s MOT history before buying.