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

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?

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?

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 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

50% 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 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 28,638 vehicles, the 2012 Fiat 500 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 77.1%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2012 Fiat 500?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2012 Fiat 500 are: Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (55.6% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (53.2% of vehicles), Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (50.4% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2012 Fiat 500?

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 (2012)

28,638 real MOT outcomes analysed • 77.1% first-time pass rate

2012 Fiat 500

CarHunch analysed 28,638 real MOT records for the 2012 Fiat 500. 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 Common Issues 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 is slightly below the UK average for MOT pass rates at 77.1% versus 80%, which is a marginal difference—but the real concern is that half of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, putting it in genuinely risky territory for buyers. A used example could easily hide serious issues that aren't yet flagged, so this isn't a car to buy on faith alone.

At around 47,000 miles median for a 12-year-old car, these 500s have been driven reasonably hard, and the average of 3.38 failures per test cycles suggests recurring mechanical problems rather than isolated incidents. Before you commit to one, demand a full service history and get a pre-purchase inspection focused on suspension, braking, and electrical systems—where Fiat 500s of this age tend to rack up defects.

The 2012 Fiat 500 has a decent first-time pass rate (77.1%), 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

77.1%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

50%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.38

Over 13.8 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

47k

Middle half: 36k–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 22.2 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 28,638 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

What tends to go wrong

Across 28,638 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 55.6%

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 50.4%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Suspension & steering 46.7%

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded · Offside Rear Coil spring corroded · Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Other issues 42.1%

Oil leak, but not excessive · Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened

Exhaust & emissions 19.3%

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2012.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 28,638 Fiat 500 cars.

Before you buy a 2012 Fiat 500

Based on MOT data from 28,638 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 50% 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 (100%)	28,545	77.1%	3.38
Diesel (0%)	90	74.9%	3.44

Colour Breakdown

Based on 329,016 Fiat 500 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

White 36.3%

119,575

Red 15.1%

49,760

Blue 12.2%

40,131

Grey 11.7%

38,464

Black 8.3%

27,352

Green 7.3%

24,182

Pink 2.5%

8,093

Beige 2.2%

7,363

Yellow 1.9%

6,176

Purple 1.2%

3,921

Silver 1%

3,434

Orange 0.2%

565

Mileage Distribution

Most 2012 Fiat 500 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.

47,106

typical

35,989

low mileage

58,648

high mileage

Half of all 2012 Fiat 500 vehicles fall between 35,989 and 58,648 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 35,989 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.

✓ 35,989–58,648 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2012 Fiat 500s sit.

⚠ Over 79,174 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 — Still on the Road

Almost all 2012 Fiat 500s are still on the road.

Strong survival — 24,888 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 91% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2015–2025.
* 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

13.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.38

Avg failures per vehicle

22.2

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

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Compare with another model

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

Watch for defects — worth knowing