Abarth 500 (2012)
2012 Abarth 500
CarHunch analysed 919 real MOT records for the 2012 Abarth 500. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2012 Abarth 500 falls slightly short of the UK average with a 77.1% first-time pass rate, and here's the real concern: 42.5% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above acceptable levels for a buyer. This reliability gap suggests the Abarth 500's sportier setup comes with genuine durability trade-offs worth factoring into your decision.
These cars are running relatively low mileage for their age at a median of 47,657 miles, yet they're still averaging nearly 3 failures per test and a notable 20.7 advisories, indicating persistent wear issues across the fleet. Before purchasing, get a pre-buy inspection focused on brake condition and suspension components—the advisory pattern points to these as chronic weak spots on this model.
What to check before buying a 2012 Abarth 500
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 42.6% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Abarth 500
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (98%) | 897 | 77% | 2.95 |
| Other (2%) | 21 | 87.1% | 0.76 |
| Diesel (0%) | 1 | 47.5% | 83 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2012 Abarth 500 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2012 Abarth 500 vehicles fall between 36,280 and 57,945 miles.
2012 Abarth 500 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 707 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 85% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2015–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2012 Abarth 500
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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41.3%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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40.4%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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35.1%
Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
-
30.4%
Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded
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29.3%
Offside Rear Coil spring corroded
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29%
Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
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26.3%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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24.8%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2012. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Abarth 500?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.