Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2013 Abarth 500?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2013 Abarth 500?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2013 Abarth 500?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2013 Abarth 500 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

45% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2013 Abarth 500 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 628 vehicles, the 2013 Abarth 500 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 80%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2013 Abarth 500?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2013 Abarth 500 are: Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (44.9% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (44.4% of vehicles), Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (41.6% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2013 Abarth 500?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Abarth 500 (2013)

628 real MOT outcomes analysed • 80% first-time pass rate

2013 Abarth 500

CarHunch analysed 628 real MOT records for the 2013 Abarth 500. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2013 Abarth 500 passes its MOT at 79.1%, essentially matching the UK average of 80%, but here's the real concern: 45.2% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is substantially higher than typical and should weigh heavily on any buyer's decision. This isn't a reliability disaster, but it's a clear warning sign that mechanical or safety issues are common enough to be a genuine risk.

These cars average around 45,000 miles at test time, which is reasonable for a 2013, yet they're racking up 2.48 failures and 18.3 advisories per MOT attempt—suggesting ongoing wear and maintenance demands beyond the norm. Before purchasing, get a pre-buy inspection that specifically covers suspension, braking, and exhaust components, as these are the likely culprits behind both the dangerous defects and high advisory counts.

The 2013 Abarth 500 has a decent first-time pass rate (80%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

80%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

45.2%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.48

Over 11.5 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

45k

Middle half: 34k–57k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 18.3 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 628 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 628 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 44.9%

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 41.6%

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Suspension & steering 26%

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil · Offside Rear Coil spring corroded · Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded · …

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2013.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 628 Abarth 500 cars.

Before you buy a 2013 Abarth 500

Based on MOT data from 628 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 45.2% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (98%)	615	79.9%	2.52

Colour Breakdown

Based on 6,597 Abarth 500 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

White 38.4%

2,533

Grey 23.5%

1,553

Red 17.4%

1,150

Black 16.2%

1,069

Blue 3.9%

254

Beige 0.3%

Yellow 0.2%

Purple 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2013 Abarth 500 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

44,993

typical

33,899

low mileage

56,927

high mileage

Half of all 2013 Abarth 500 vehicles fall between 33,899 and 56,927 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 33,899 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 33,899–56,927 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2013 Abarth 500s sit.

⚠ Over 76,851 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2013 Abarth 500 — Still on the Road

Most 2013 Abarth 500s are still being driven.

Strong survival — 501 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 87% 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.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

11.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.48

Avg failures per vehicle

18.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Abarth 500: All 500 years → Which year to buy? →

2009 2010 2011 2012 2014 2015

Or browse all models: Abarth →

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See how the 2013 Abarth 500 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing