Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2020 Fiat 500 Star MHEV?

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 2020 Fiat 500 Star MHEV?

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 2020 Fiat 500 Star MHEV?

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.

Is the 2020 Fiat 500 Star MHEV reliable?

Based on MOT data from 855 vehicles, the 2020 Fiat 500 Star MHEV has a first-time MOT pass rate of 89.9%, 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 2020 Fiat 500 Star MHEV?

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 Star MHEV (2020)

855 real MOT outcomes analysed • 89.9% first-time pass rate

2020 Fiat 500 Star MHEV

CarHunch analysed 855 real MOT records for the 2020 Fiat 500 Star MHEV. 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 2020 FIAT 500 STAR MHEV is more reliable than average, with an 89.6% first-time MOT pass rate well above the UK average of 80%, though nearly 1 in 5 vehicles (18.8%) have experienced a dangerous defect at some point. Petrol variants perform consistently at 89.4% pass rate, so fuel type isn't a discriminator here.

These cars are low-mileage for their age at just under 20,000 miles on average, which partly explains the strong pass rates—less wear means fewer problems so far. The typical vehicle racks up 0.43 failures and 2.4 advisories per test, suggesting minor issues are routine but major structural or safety problems are uncommon. When shopping, prioritise a full service history and have any prospective purchase inspected for signs of electrical gremlins, which are common in this generation.

The 2020 Fiat 500 Star MHEV passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (89.9%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 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

89.9%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

18.8%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.43

Over 3.4 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

19k

Middle half: 12k–25k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 89.9% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 2.4 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 855 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.

Average reliability — agree?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 855 Fiat 500 Star MHEV cars.

Before you buy a 2020 Fiat 500 Star MHEV

Based on MOT data from 855 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 18.8% 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

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (96%)	823	89.7%	0.43

Colour Breakdown

Based on 1,930 Fiat 500 Star MHEV vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Pink 29.7%

574

Grey 21.8%

421

White 16.6%

320

Red 14.2%

275

Black 12.9%

249

Blue 4.7%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2020 Fiat 500 Star MHEV 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.

18,596

typical

12,386

low mileage

24,746

high mileage

Half of all 2020 Fiat 500 Star MHEV vehicles fall between 12,386 and 24,746 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 12,386 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.

✓ 12,386–24,746 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2020 Fiat 500 Star MHEVs sit.

⚠ Over 33,407 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2020 Fiat 500 Star MHEV — Still on the Road

Almost all 2020 Fiat 500 Star MHEVs are still on the road.

Strong survival — 822 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 99% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2023–2025.

MOT History Averages

3.4

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.43

Avg failures per vehicle

2.4

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2021

Or browse all models: Fiat →

Compare with another model

See how the 2020 Fiat 500 Star MHEV stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?