Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2011 Fiat 500 C?

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 2011 Fiat 500 C?

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 2011 Fiat 500 C?

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 2011 Fiat 500 C vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

49% 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 2011 Fiat 500 C reliable?

Based on MOT data from 1,428 vehicles, the 2011 Fiat 500 C has a first-time MOT pass rate of 75.3%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2011 Fiat 500 C?

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.

CarHunch

Get Started

Fiat 500 C (2011)

1,428 real MOT outcomes analysed • 75.3% first-time pass rate

2011 Fiat 500 C

CarHunch analysed 1,428 real MOT records for the 2011 Fiat 500 C. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2011 Fiat 500 C falls below the UK average with a 75.2% first-time MOT pass rate, and nearly half of these cars (49.3%) have experienced a dangerous defect at some point—a significant concern for buyers weighing safety and reliability. This suggests the model has genuine structural or mechanical weaknesses that go beyond routine wear.

At around 49,600 miles on average, these examples are relatively low-mileage for their age, yet they're accumulating 4.0 failures and 25.1 advisories per test cycle, indicating early and recurring problems rather than age-related decline. Before purchasing, budget for remedial work and have any candidate independently inspected for suspension, brake, and electrical defects, which tend to dominate the failure list on this generation.

The 2011 Fiat 500 C has a decent first-time pass rate (75.3%), 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

75.3%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

49.3%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

Over 15.3 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

48k

Middle half: 35k–62k

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 25.1 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 1,428 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

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 1,428 Fiat 500 C cars.

Before you buy a 2011 Fiat 500 C

Based on MOT data from 1,428 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 49.3% 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
Petrol (99%)	1,417	75.3%	4

Colour Breakdown

Based on 4,495 Fiat 500 C vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

White 42.8%

1,924

Blue 15.4%

691

Red 15.2%

684

Black 9.2%

415

Grey 7.8%

349

Pink 2%

Yellow 1.9%

Beige 1.9%

Green 1.6%

Purple 1.2%

Silver 1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2011 Fiat 500 C 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.

48,068

typical

34,976

low mileage

61,653

high mileage

Half of all 2011 Fiat 500 C vehicles fall between 34,976 and 61,653 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 34,976 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.

✓ 34,976–61,653 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2011 Fiat 500 Cs sit.

⚠ Over 83,231 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2011 Fiat 500 C — Still on the Road

Most 2011 Fiat 500 Cs are still being driven.

Strong survival — 1,194 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 2014–2025.
* 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

15.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

Avg failures per vehicle

25.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2009 2010 2012 2013 2014

Or browse all models: Fiat →

Compare with another model

See how the 2011 Fiat 500 C stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing