Fiat Tempra (1992)

626 real MOT outcomes analysed • 31.4% first-time pass rate

1992 Fiat Tempra

CarHunch analysed 626 real MOT records for the 1992 Fiat Tempra. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 1992 Fiat Tempra is a deeply unreliable prospect by modern standards, with only 31.4% passing their MOT first time against the UK average of 80%. Petrol versions are particularly weak at just 25.2% pass rate, while diesel examples fare considerably better at 57.5%, suggesting engine choice matters significantly for this model; dangerous defects are rare at 5.3%, so safety isn't the primary worry here.

These cars average around 78,000 miles, which is reasonable for a 32-year-old vehicle, but expect to fix almost one failure and nearly two advisories per test on average. Before buying, have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with 1980s Fiats—the gap between these cars and the UK average is too large to ignore, and you'll want to understand what specific issues you're inheriting.

Below average reliability 48.6% below UK average
31.4%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
83,079
typical mileage
61,035–100,009 middle half
5.3%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.67
avg MOT failures per car
over 2.3 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1992 Fiat Tempra

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 Tempra

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 (81%) 506 25.2% 0.5
Diesel (19%) 120 57.5% 1.37

Mileage Distribution

Most 1992 Fiat Tempra 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.

61,035
low mileage
83,079
typical
100,009
high mileage

Half of all 1992 Fiat Tempra vehicles fall between 61,035 and 100,009 miles.

MOT History Averages

2.3
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.67
Avg failures per vehicle
1.7
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1992 Fiat Tempra

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 19.4%
    Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
  • 16.3%
    Service brake: efficiency below requirements
  • 14.3%
    Oil leak
  • 13.9%
    Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
  • 13.7%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 13.3%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 12.3%
    Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded
  • 11.9%
    Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1992. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Fiat Tempra?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Fiat Tempra:

1990 1991 1993 1994 1995 1996