Fiat 500 (2011)
2011 Fiat 500
CarHunch analysed 20,574 real MOT records for the 2011 Fiat 500. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2011 Fiat 500 passes its MOT first time in just 75.7% of cases, nearly 5 points below the UK average of 80%, which is a meaningful reliability concern. More worrying still, over half of these cars (50.9%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, suggesting structural or safety issues that go beyond routine wear.
These 500s are running at sensible mileages for their age—a median of 49,579 miles—yet they're accumulating an average of 3.91 failures per test and 25 advisories, pointing to persistent mechanical and corrosion problems rather than exceptional driving. If you're considering one, prioritise a pre-purchase inspection focused on rust, brake condition, and suspension geometry, and budget for remedial work on top of the asking price.
What to check before buying a 2011 Fiat 500
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.
- ⚠️ 50.9% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 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 500
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 (99%) | 20,430 | 75.7% | 3.91 |
| Diesel (1%) | 141 | 74.8% | 3.74 |
| Other (0%) | 3 | 63.9% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2011 Fiat 500 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 2011 Fiat 500 vehicles fall between 37,569 and 62,105 miles.
2011 Fiat 500 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 17,229 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.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2011 Fiat 500
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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55.6%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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53.2%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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46.7%
Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded
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44.4%
Offside Rear Coil spring corroded
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42.1%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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38.8%
Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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33.6%
Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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32.5%
Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2011. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Fiat 500?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.