Fiat 126 (1982)
1982 Fiat 126
CarHunch analysed 358 real MOT records for the 1982 Fiat 126. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1982 Fiat 126 is essentially a museum piece on the road—just 5.2% of tested examples pass their MOT on first attempt, a catastrophic 75 percentage points below the UK average of 80%. Thankfully, dangerous defects are rare at 1.1%, but owners should expect serious work before these cars are roadworthy.
These 126s average only 31,313 miles, suggesting most survivors are cherished hobby vehicles rather than regular transport, which explains both the low pass rate and minimal failure count (0.15 per vehicle). If you're considering one, treat it as a restoration project: inspect the full MOT history carefully, budget for suspension and brake work, and accept that keeping a 42-year-old Fiat usable requires committed maintenance.
What to check before buying a 1982 Fiat 126
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.
- 📄 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 Fiat 126
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 (100%) | 357 | 5.2% | 0.15 |
| Diesel (0%) | 1 | 0% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1982 Fiat 126 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 1982 Fiat 126 vehicles fall between 20,276 and 39,776 miles.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1982 Fiat 126
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
27.7%
Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play
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26.2%
Oil leak
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23.1%
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid
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21.5%
Brakes imbalanced across an axle
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16.9%
Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play
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16.9%
Nearside Front Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush
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15.4%
Service brake: efficiency below requirements
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13.8%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1982. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Fiat 126?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.