Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2012 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 2012 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 2012 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 2012 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 2012 Fiat 500 C reliable?

Based on MOT data from 794 vehicles, the 2012 Fiat 500 C has a first-time MOT pass rate of 76.8%, 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 2012 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.

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Fiat 500 C (2012)

794 real MOT outcomes analysed • 76.8% first-time pass rate

2012 Fiat 500 C

CarHunch analysed 794 real MOT records for the 2012 Fiat 500 C. 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 Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2012 Fiat 500 C falls slightly below the UK average with a first-time MOT pass rate of 76.8% versus 80%, which is a modest weakness rather than a red flag—but the fact that nearly half of these cars (48.9%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point is a genuine buyer concern worth investigating on the specific vehicle's history. With a median mileage of just 46,054 miles at test, these are relatively low-mileage examples, yet they're averaging 3.44 failures per test, suggesting mechanical wear or neglect is catching up earlier than it should.

The 21.6 advisories per vehicle—well above what you'd expect—points to accumulating wear across seals, trim, and minor components rather than catastrophic failures, which is typical of older city cars. Before buying, always request the full MOT history to check when dangerous defects occurred and whether they were rectified, as this model appears prone to them.

The 2012 Fiat 500 C has a decent first-time pass rate (76.8%), 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

76.8%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

48.9%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.44

Over 13.9 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

46k

Middle half: 35k–59k

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 21.6 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 794 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 794 Fiat 500 C cars.

Before you buy a 2012 Fiat 500 C

Based on MOT data from 794 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 48.9% 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%)	790	76.8%	3.43

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 2012 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.

46,054

typical

34,583

low mileage

59,402

high mileage

Half of all 2012 Fiat 500 C vehicles fall between 34,583 and 59,402 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 34,583 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.

✓ 34,583–59,402 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2012 Fiat 500 Cs sit.

⚠ Over 80,192 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2012 Fiat 500 C — Still on the Road

Most 2012 Fiat 500 Cs are still being driven.

Strong survival — 660 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 86% 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

13.9

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.44

Avg failures per vehicle

21.6

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2009 2010 2011 2013 2014

Or browse all models: Fiat →

Compare with another model

See how the 2012 Fiat 500 C stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing