Fiat 500 (2015)
2015 Fiat 500
CarHunch analysed 37,739 real MOT records for the 2015 Fiat 500. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2015 Fiat 500 passes its MOT at 80.5%, marginally above the UK average of 80%, which suggests broadly typical reliability for its age—but the alarming 40.6% of vehicles that have recorded a dangerous defect at some point is a serious red flag for buyers, indicating structural, brake, or steering issues are more common than on equivalent cars. This petrol-only cohort (37,670 vehicles) shows consistent results across the board, so fuel type isn't a differentiator here.
At just 36,821 miles median mileage for a nine-year-old car, these 500s are relatively lightly used, yet they're still averaging 2.09 failures and 13.1 advisories per test, suggesting wear issues emerge regardless of miles covered. Check the vehicle's full MOT history for any previous dangerous defects before purchase, and budget for suspension, lighting, and general deterioration on the cards—this is a characterful city car, but one that demands closer inspection than the headline pass rate implies.
What to check before buying a 2015 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.
- ⚠️ 40.6% 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
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 37,670 | 80.5% | 2.09 |
| Diesel (0%) | 67 | 82.1% | 1.96 |
| Other (0%) | 2 | 83.3% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2015 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 2015 Fiat 500 vehicles fall between 27,056 and 47,824 miles.
2015 Fiat 500 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 35,199 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 97% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2018–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2015 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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53.1%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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32.2%
Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
-
31.9%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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30.7%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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28.5%
Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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28.3%
Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
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25.8%
Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2015. 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.