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Fiat

Fiat Coupe reliability by build year

Coverage 1993-20001 named generationCoupePETROL

We've only got 923 MOT tests for Fiat Coupes built before 2000 (over 25 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

At a glance

Fiat Coupe built before 2000: fails its MOT more often than average

Fiat Coupes built before 2000 fail their MOT more often than similar cars the same age. Look closely at the brakes on any car you view. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Key figure

27% of MOT tests on Fiat Coupes built before 2000 ended in a fail (retests included), against 19% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Fiat Coupes built before 2000 involves the brakes.

What to check before viewing

The Fiat Coupe'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 pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Leaks

Worth checking

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

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension 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.

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 Coupe's generation

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

Fiat Coupe fail rate by age

This chart combines every Fiat Coupe 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
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
6717.9%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
92327.3%

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 25+ years old.

What goes wrong most often on 25+ year old Fiat Coupes

These issues come from 25+ year old Fiat Coupes, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelNot much data

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    17.7%
    Advisory: 166Fail: 3 (2% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    14.4%
    Advisory: 195Fail: 7 (3% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    11.3%
    Advisory: 179Fail: 6 (3% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    10.8%
    Advisory: 143Fail: 7 (5% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Exhaust has a minor leak

    9.6%
    Advisory: 79Fail: 15 (16% of the times it was found)

Based on 923 MOT tests on 25+ year old Fiat Coupes, every generation combined.

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 25+ year old Fiat Coupes 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. Brakes + Suspension36%
  2. Brakes + Lighting26%
  3. Brakes + Other22%
  4. Brakes + Fuel & oil21%

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

Across 472 MOT tests on Fiat Coupe cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

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 Coupe.

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

DVSA's recall list has no recalls filed under the Fiat Coupe name. For the exact car, check with the maker or GOV.UK's recall checker.

Other coupes to compare

Other coupes to compare

  1. 1

    Jaguar E-Type

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.1%
    Dangerous
    1.8%

    Lower fail rate: 8.8%, against 27.3% for the Fiat Coupe, both built before 2000.

    1,235 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  2. 2

    Porsche 911

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94%

    Lower fail rate: 13.1%, against 27.3% for the Fiat Coupe, both built before 2000.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    10,428 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  3. 3

    MG B GT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.4%

    Lower fail rate: 15.4%, against 27.3% for the Fiat Coupe, both built before 2000.

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

    1,331 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  4. 4

    Porsche 944

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    19%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.7%
    Dangerous
    2.8%

    Lower fail rate: 19.0%, against 27.3% for the Fiat Coupe, both built before 2000.

    2,477 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

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.

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the Fiat Coupe across all generations combined fails MOTs slightly more often than typical for this age. This is based on 923 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Fiat Coupe ever sold: 990 tests. The main figures are for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old): 923 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.