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Fiat 500e Mk1 (332) (2021-present) reliability

At a glance

Fiat 500e Mk1 (332) built around 2021: fails its MOT more often than average

Fiat 500e Mk1 (332) models built around 2021 fail their MOT more often than similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view.

Looking at a Fiat 500e Mk1 (332) right now?

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Key figure

18% of MOT tests on Fiat 500e Mk1 (332) models built around 2021 ended in a fail (retests included), against 11% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Fiat 500e Mk1 (332) models built around 2021 involves the tyres.

Fiat 500e Mk1 (332)
poor reliability2021-presentHatchbackELECTRICITY

Based on 7,211 tests of 500e models registered 2021+.

About 1 in 7 electricity 500e cars registered in 2022 (13.9%) failed their first MOT.

Based on 4,407 first MOTs (DVSA MOT results, 2025).

About 1 in 30 500e Mk1 (332) MOTs (3.5%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2021 (4 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 1,846 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 25 500e Mk1 (332) MOTs (3.9%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2021 (4 years old).

Based on 1,846 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk1 (332) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
5,36512.8%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
1,84618.4%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 4 years old.

How the 500e Mk1 (332) compares

At each age below, see how the 500e Mk1 (332) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 24,300 tests across 7 Fiat models, built around 2021 (4 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateFiat average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
5,36512.8%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
1,84618.4%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Visibility

Worth checking

Inspect the visibility carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the 500e Mk1 (332).

  1. 1

    Mazda 2

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.6%
    Dangerous
    2.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.2%

    Lower fail rate: 8.8%, against 18.4% for the Fiat 500e Mk1 (332), both built around 2021.

    4,456 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  2. 2

    Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.6%

    Lower fail rate: 10.3%, against 18.4% for the Fiat 500e Mk1 (332), both built around 2021.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    37,846 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  3. 3

    Suzuki SX4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9%

    Lower fail rate: 9.0%, against 18.4% for the Fiat 500e Mk1 (332), both built around 2021.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,564 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  4. 4

    Volkswagen ID.3

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.8%

    Lower fail rate: 9.8%, against 18.4% for the Fiat 500e Mk1 (332), both built around 2021.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    4,873 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Recall context

3 recalls in all

All 3 500e Mk1 (332) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 2 more

Top concerns

  • Fiat 500 BEV high voltage battery negative pole connection
  • Fiat 500 BEV panda and tipo. Instrument panel cluster software
  • Vehicles may have been fitted with a faulty left or right side half-shaft

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Mk1 (332) variants compared

500e Mk1 (332) variants built around 2021

The fail rate for each 500e Mk1 (332) variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Electricity

  • 500E LA PRIMA18.1%1,047 tests
  • 500E ICON18.2%512 tests
  • 500E PASSION19.4%206 tests
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Fiat 500e models of this age

This list covers every Fiat 500e built around 2021, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk1 (332) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    13.3%
    Advisory: 350Fail: 13 (4% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    10.3%
    Advisory: 133Fail: 146 (52% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    9.6%
    Advisory: 241Fail: 46 (16% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre has a cut that does not reach the ply or cords

    6.4%
    Advisory: 108Fail: 38 (26% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Major

    Wiper does not clear the windscreen properly

    6.2%
    Advisory: 43Fail: 109 (72% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,846 tests

Looking at a Fiat 500e Mk1 (332) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2021 (4 years old), the Fiat 500e Mk1 (332) (2021-present) fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 1,846 4-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 7,211 MOT tests on Fiat 500e models first registered from 2021. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.