Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2000 Aixam 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 2000 Aixam 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 2000 Aixam 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 2000 Aixam 500 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

20% 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 2000 Aixam 500 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 118 vehicles, the 2000 Aixam 500 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 72.5%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2000 Aixam 500?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2000 Aixam 500 are: Service brake: efficiency below requirements (26% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (19.2% of vehicles), Nearside Stop lamp not working (19.2% 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 2000 Aixam 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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Aixam 500 (2000)

118 real MOT outcomes analysed • 72.5% first-time pass rate

2000 Aixam 500

CarHunch analysed 118 real MOT records for the 2000 Aixam 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 MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2000 AIXAM 500 trails the UK average with a 72.5% first-time pass rate against the national 80%, and one in five of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect during their MOT history—a meaningful concern for a 24-year-old microcar. The diesel-only fleet (112 of 118 vehicles) shows a 71.8% pass rate, confirming this isn't a fuel-type issue but a model-wide reliability pattern.

At around 31,000 miles average, these cars have been used lightly for their age, yet they're still averaging 2.3 failures and 4.6 advisories per test—suggesting wear and maintenance become serious problems even at modest mileage. Before buying, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on brake and suspension components, as dangerous defects are a real risk with this ageing fleet.

We have limited data for the 2000 Aixam 500 — 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

72.5%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

20.3%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.29

Over 7.5 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

29k

Middle half: 20k–37k

For context

These stats describe 118 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.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 118 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Brake wear 26%

Service brake: efficiency below requirements · Offside rear brake recording little or no effort · Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded · …

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

Tyre wear 19.2%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit

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

Lighting 19.2%

Nearside Stop lamp not working · Offside Stop lamp not working · Nearside Headlamp aim too high

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Other issues 16.8%

Driver's seat insecure

Suspension & steering 16.3%

Nearside Steering rack gaiter split

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

Exhaust & emissions 12.5%

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases

Wipers & washers 12.5%

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively · Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2000.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 118 Aixam 500 cars.

Before you buy a 2000 Aixam 500

Based on MOT data from 118 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 20.3% 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
Diesel (95%)	112	71.8%	2.35

Mileage Distribution

Most 2000 Aixam 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.

28,909

typical

20,179

low mileage

36,518

high mileage

Half of all 2000 Aixam 500 vehicles fall between 20,179 and 36,518 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 20,179 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.

✓ 20,179–36,518 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2000 Aixam 500s sit.

⚠ Over 49,299 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

MOT History Averages

7.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.29

Avg failures per vehicle

4.6

Avg advisories per vehicle

Compare with another model

See how the 2000 Aixam 500 stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on