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Fiat 500L reliability by build year

Coverage 2013-20221 named generationMPVDIESEL / PETROL

We've only got 1,024 MOT tests for Fiat 500L models built around 2018 (7 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

At a glance

Fiat 500L built around 2018: fails its MOT more often than average

Fiat 500L models built around 2018 fail their MOT more often than similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view.

Check a Fiat 500L by number plate

Key figure

27% of MOT tests on Fiat 500L models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 22% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Fiat 500L models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Fiat 500L's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

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.

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.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your 500L's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

500L Mk1

Mk1 (2013-2022)

Poor
DIESELPETROL

27.4% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 1,024 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Fiat 500L.

See every build year for the Fiat 500L

By age

Fiat 500L fail rate by age

This chart combines every Fiat 500L ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
9316.1%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
17114.0%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
11320.3%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
40526.2%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
1,02427.4%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
1,51827.5%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
2,86525.7%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
5,89228.4%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
8,45329.5%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
2,80729.5%

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 12 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Fiat 500L models

These issues come from 7-year-old Fiat 500L models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

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

    17.6%
    Advisory: 249Fail: 14 (5% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    17.3%
    Advisory: 267Fail: 20 (7% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    12.0%
    Advisory: 159Fail: 6 (4% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    9.8%
    Advisory: 109Fail: 40 (27% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    9.2%
    Advisory: 95Fail: 21 (18% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,024 MOT tests on 7-year-old Fiat 500L models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Fiat 500L models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Suspension + Tyres34%
  2. Brakes + Tyres31%
  3. Brakes + Suspension25%
  4. Lighting + Tyres15%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 358 MOT tests on Fiat 500L cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Fiat 500L.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

2 recalls in all

Both Fiat 500L recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 1 more

Top concerns

  • Supplementary heater wiring may become damaged and cause an electrical short-circuit
  • Due to incorrect type approval data processing the manufacturer's plate (VIN plate) and registration document must be re

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

Like-for-like

Other people carriers to compare

Other people carriers to compare

  1. 1

    Kia Venga

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.7%
    Dangerous
    3.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.8%

    Lower fail rate: 11.8%, against 27.4% for the Fiat 500L, both built around 2018.

    5,255 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Hyundai ix20

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    4.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.4%

    Lower fail rate: 12.5%, against 27.4% for the Fiat 500L, both built around 2018.

    3,239 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Toyota Verso

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90%

    Lower fail rate: 16.4%, against 27.4% for the Fiat 500L, both built around 2018.

    1,716 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Toyota Estima

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17.7%

    Lower fail rate: 17.7%, against 27.4% for the Fiat 500L, both built around 2018.

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

    1,057 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

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.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Fiat 500L across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. It has the 7th lowest fail rate of 8 Fiat models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 1,024 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Fiat 500L ever sold: 23,341 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 1,024 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.