Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2012 Abarth 595?

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 2012 Abarth 595?

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 2012 Abarth 595?

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 2012 Abarth 595 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

43% 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 2012 Abarth 595 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 194 vehicles, the 2012 Abarth 595 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 80.2%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2012 Abarth 595?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2012 Abarth 595 are: Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (54.2% of vehicles), Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (47.9% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (44.2% 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 2012 Abarth 595?

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 595 (2012)

194 real MOT outcomes analysed • 80.2% first-time pass rate

2012 Abarth 595

CarHunch analysed 194 real MOT records for the 2012 Abarth 595. 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 Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2012 Abarth 595 hits the UK average with an 80.2% first-time pass rate, which is respectable, but the alarming finding is that 42.8% of these cars have recorded dangerous defects at some point—nearly double the typical concern threshold. This is a serious red flag for any prospective buyer and suggests systemic issues beyond routine wear.

With a median mileage of just 41,796 miles for a 12-year-old car, these 595s are relatively lightly used, yet they're still racking up an average of 2.7 failures and 17.3 advisories per test. The high advisory count points to niggling trim and minor defects rather than catastrophic failure, but combined with the dangerous defect prevalence, it's clear these cars demand thorough pre-purchase inspection—get a specialist Abarth mechanic to examine the braking and suspension systems before committing.

We have limited data for the 2012 Abarth 595 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ 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

80.2%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

42.8%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.7

Over 12.4 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

42k

Middle half: 28k–55k

For context

These stats describe 194 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 194 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Brake wear 54.2%

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

Tyre wear 44.2%

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

Suspension & steering 21.6%

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil · Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement · Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement · …

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

Other issues 16.3%

Oil leak, but not excessive

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2012.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 194 Abarth 595 cars.

Before you buy a 2012 Abarth 595

Based on MOT data from 194 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 42.8% 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

Mileage Distribution

Most 2012 Abarth 595 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.

41,796

typical

28,430

low mileage

54,956

high mileage

Half of all 2012 Abarth 595 vehicles fall between 28,430 and 54,956 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 28,430 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.

✓ 28,430–54,956 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2012 Abarth 595s sit.

⚠ Over 74,190 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2012 Abarth 595 — Still on the Road

Almost all 2012 Abarth 595s are still on the road.

Strong survival — 164 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 95% 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

12.4

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.7

Avg failures per vehicle

17.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Abarth 595: All 595 years → Which year to buy? →

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

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Compare with another model

See how the 2012 Abarth 595 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing