Fiat 500 (2018)
2018 Fiat 500
CarHunch analysed 23,975 real MOT records for the 2018 Fiat 500. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2018 FIAT 500 passes its MOT first time at 85.9%, which is a solid 5.9 percentage points above the UK average, suggesting good overall reliability for the age. However, nearly 1 in 5 vehicles (18.7%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is worth factoring into your inspection checklist as a buyer.
These cars are running at a sensible 25,759 miles median for their age, and they average 0.83 failures per test—low enough to suggest they're not chronic problem cars. The high advisory count of 5.9 per vehicle points to minor wear items rather than structural issues, so budget for routine maintenance but don't expect major surprises if you buy one with a clean recent MOT history.
What to check before buying a 2018 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.
- 📄 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 (100%) | 23,972 | 85.9% | 0.83 |
| Other (0%) | 3 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2018 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 2018 Fiat 500 vehicles fall between 18,122 and 35,188 miles.
2018 Fiat 500 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 22,663 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 100% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2021–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2018 Fiat 500
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
40.5%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
39.6%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
33.9%
Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
-
26.4%
Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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24.5%
Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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21.6%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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20.8%
Nearside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
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20.6%
Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2018. 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.