Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2011 Fiat 500c?

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 2011 Fiat 500c?

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 2011 Fiat 500c?

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 2011 Fiat 500c vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

45% 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 2011 Fiat 500c reliable?

Based on MOT data from 1,448 vehicles, the 2011 Fiat 500c has a first-time MOT pass rate of 75.7%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2011 Fiat 500c?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2011 Fiat 500c are: Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (52% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (49.9% of vehicles), Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (47.9% 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 2011 Fiat 500c?

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 500c (2011)

1,448 real MOT outcomes analysed • 75.7% first-time pass rate

2011 Fiat 500c

CarHunch analysed 1,448 real MOT records for the 2011 Fiat 500c. 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 2011 Fiat 500C falls short of the UK average with a 75.6% first-time pass rate, and here's the real concern: 45.2% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is more than twice the typical rate. This suggests structural or safety issues are more common than you'd want in a ten-year-old city car.

These 500Cs are running around 47,900 miles at median, which is reasonable for the age, but they're racking up nearly four failures per test on average alongside 25.9 advisories. Before buying one, get a pre-purchase inspection that specifically checks the suspension, braking system, and bodywork integrity—the dangerous defect rate hints at potential structural or corrosion problems that routine servicing won't catch.

The 2011 Fiat 500c has a decent first-time pass rate (75.7%), 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

75.7%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

45.2%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.91

Over 15.2 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

48k

Middle half: 35k–61k

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 25.9 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 1,448 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 1,448 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 52%

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 47.9%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Offside 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 44.7%

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 35.7%

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

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2011.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 1,448 Fiat 500c cars.

Before you buy a 2011 Fiat 500c

Based on MOT data from 1,448 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 45.2% 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 (99%)	1,429	75.7%	3.9

Colour Breakdown

Based on 17,905 Fiat 500c vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

White 37.3%

6,670

Blue 14.1%

2,521

Red 12.1%

2,169

Grey 10.1%

1,806

Black 8%

1,434

Green 6.3%

1,126

Pink 4.7%

838

Beige 3.1%

561

Yellow 1.6%

289

Purple 1.5%

265

Orange 0.7%

127

Silver 0.6%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2011 Fiat 500c 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.

47,906

typical

35,354

low mileage

61,092

high mileage

Half of all 2011 Fiat 500c vehicles fall between 35,354 and 61,092 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 35,354 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.

✓ 35,354–61,092 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2011 Fiat 500cs sit.

⚠ Over 82,474 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2011 Fiat 500c — Still on the Road

Almost all 2011 Fiat 500cs are still on the road.

Strong survival — 1,252 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 2014–2025.
* 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

15.2

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.91

Avg failures per vehicle

25.9

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2009 2010 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Or browse all models: Fiat →

Compare with another model

See how the 2011 Fiat 500c stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing