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Fiat 500X Mk1 (2015-2023) reliability

At a glance

Fiat 500X Mk1 built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Fiat 500X Mk1 models built around 2018 fail their MOT a little more often than similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Fiat 500X Mk1?

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

Key figure

19% of MOT tests on Fiat 500X Mk1 models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 16% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Fiat 500X Mk1 models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Fiat 500X Mk1
No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings2015-2023SUVPETROL / DIESEL

Based on 46,136 tests of 500X models registered 2015-2023.

About 1 in 9 petrol 500X cars registered in 2022 (11.6%) failed their first MOT.

Based on 835 first MOTs (DVSA MOT results, 2025).

About 1 in 30 500X Mk1 MOTs (3.1%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2018 (7 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 3,620 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 20 500X Mk1 MOTs (5.2%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2018 (7 years old).

Based on 3,620 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk1 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
1,55110.4%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
2,35311.3%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
2,88512.8%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
3,82013.5%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
3,62019.4%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
11,41824.1%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
16,09125.6%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
4,39825.5%

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 9 years old.

How the 500X Mk1 compares

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

Based on 46,069 tests across 9 Fiat models, built around 2018 (7 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateFiat average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
1,55110.4%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
2,35311.3%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
2,88512.8%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
3,82013.5%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
3,62019.4%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
11,41824.1%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
16,09125.6%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
4,39825.5%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can 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.

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.

Steering track rods

Worth checking

On a flat surface, rock the steering wheel briefly with the engine off and listen for clunks.

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 SUVs to compare

Other SUVs, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the 500X Mk1.

  1. 1

    Lexus RX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    2.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.4%

    Lower fail rate: 7.6%, against 19.4% for the Fiat 500X Mk1, both built around 2018.

    1,815 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Lexus NX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    2.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.4%

    Lower fail rate: 9.5%, against 19.4% for the Fiat 500X Mk1, both built around 2018.

    4,706 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Volkswagen T-Roc

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.9%
    Dangerous
    3.9%

    Lower fail rate: 9.6%, against 19.4% for the Fiat 500X Mk1, both built around 2018.

    9,233 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Porsche Macan

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    91.6%

    Lower fail rate: 8.7%, against 19.4% for the Fiat 500X Mk1, both built around 2018.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    4,936 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.

Recall context

5 recalls in all

All 5 500X Mk1 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 5 recalls

Top concerns

  • Affected vehicles may have been fitted with a faulty 48-volt battery. This may lead to a loss of the functionality of th
  • The rear right brake calliper could display micro cracks
  • If rear seat belts are not fastened and pretensioners are deployed the latch could be released

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

What has gone wrong on 500X Mk1 cars built around 2018

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 186 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
13%
Emissions
6%
Drivetrain
1%

Wear items

Tyres
16%
Brakes
5%
Lighting
4%

Fail rate by engine size, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Engine sizes across all petrol 500X tests (not specific to Mk1).

Under 1.0 litreToo few tests to rely on469 tests1.0 to 1.4 litres17.3%1,309 tests1.4 to 2.0 litres19.8%1,111 tests
How 500X Mk1 cars have aged

How 500X Mk1 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

Some lines cover only a year or two, so read this as a rough guide.

0%10%20%345678910Age at MOTBuilt around 2021, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 9.5% (1,563 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2021, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 10.8% (1,372 tests, 2025 data)2021Built around 2020, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 8.5% (1,625 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2020, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 9.9% (1,438 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2020, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 11.9% (1,399 tests, 2025 data)2020Built around 2019, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 7.3% (2,726 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2019, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 8.3% (2,387 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2019, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 12.3% (2,367 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2019, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 11.9% (2,319 tests, 2025 data)2019Built around 2018, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 6.6% (2,302 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2018, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 8.2% (2,019 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2018, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 11.7% (1,996 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2018, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 14.7% (1,975 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2018, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 17.2% (1,938 tests, 2025 data)2018Built around 2017, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 11.1% (4,096 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2017, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 12.5% (4,013 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2017, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 16.6% (4,157 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2017, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 20.1% (4,251 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2017, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 22.6% (4,307 tests, 2025 data)2017Built around 2016, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 14.8% (10,988 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2016, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 16.9% (10,917 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2016, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 20.4% (10,922 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2016, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 23.3% (11,049 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2016, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 25.5% (11,061 tests, 2025 data)2016Built around 2015, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 17.0% (4,845 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2015, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 19.0% (4,738 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2015, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 21.0% (4,489 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2015, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 23.8% (4,465 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2015, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 25.5% (4,398 tests, 2025 data)2015
First registered around 2021First registered around 2020First registered around 2019First registered around 2018
How each part holds up as Mk1 cars age

How each part holds up as Mk1 cars age

The share of petrol cars built 2017-2020 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car5 years6 years7 years8 years
Suspension5%5%13%27%
BrakesNo figure4%5%8%
Emissions5%6%6%6%
Tyres12%16%16%22%
Lighting2%4%4%17%
DrivetrainNo figureNo figure1%No figure
Corrosion0%1%0%0%

Based on petrol cars in the 2017-2020 build-year band, from 102 to 264 cars at each age.

Mk1 variants compared

500X Mk1 variants built around 2018

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

Petrol

  • 500X18.4%2,889 tests

Diesel

  • 500X23.7%731 tests
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Fiat 500X models of this age

This list covers every Fiat 500X built around 2018, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk1 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

    20.5%
    Advisory: 1,034Fail: 105 (9% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    17.0%
    Advisory: 837Fail: 81 (9% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

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

    11.7%
    Advisory: 571Fail: 4 (1% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    10.6%
    Advisory: 477Fail: 119 (20% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    8.0%
    Advisory: 288Fail: 50 (15% of the times it was found)

Based on 3,620 tests

Looking at a Fiat 500X Mk1?

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

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Fiat 500X Mk1 (2015-2023) fails MOTs slightly more often than typical for this age. This is based on 3,620 7-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 46,136 MOT tests on Fiat 500X models first registered between 2015-2023. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.