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Fiat Tipo reliability by build year

Coverage 2016-present1 named generationHatchbackPETROL / DIESEL
At a glance

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

Fiat Tipos 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 Tipo by number plate

Key figure

24% of MOT tests on Fiat Tipos built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 18% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Fiat Tipos built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

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

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

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.

Shock absorbers

Worth checking

Bounce-test each corner; check for oily streaks down the strut bodies.

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 Tipo's generation

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

Tipo Mk1 (356)

Mk1 (356) (2016-present)

Poor
DIESELPETROL

24.1% 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 4,398 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

PETROL

25.4% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Likely between 15.8% and 38.3%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 55 MOT tests at this ageLimited data

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 Tipo.

See every build year for the Fiat Tipo

Side-by-side

Fiat Tipo generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk1 (356) (2016-present)
Poor
Poor24.1%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 4,398 MOT tests at this age
Older models (before 2005)
No rating
No rating25.4%likely between 15.8% and 38.3%built before 2000 (over 25 years old)from 55 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Tipo, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Fiat Tipo fail rate by age

This chart combines every Fiat Tipo 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
90318.4%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
1,25618.0%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
1,54218.6%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
2,14520.2%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
4,39824.1%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
5,90524.3%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
53720.9%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
5525.4%

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 25+ years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Fiat Tipo stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Fiat models

5th of 8

5th lowest fail rate of 8 Fiat models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against other hatchbacks

77th of 84

77th lowest fail rate of 84 hatchbacks with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the highest third

Against the UK average

24.1%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

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

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Fiat Tipos

These issues come from 7-year-old Fiat Tipos, 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

    25.4%
    Advisory: 1,589Fail: 175 (10% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Shock absorber has a light misting of oil

    15.3%
    Advisory: 683Fail: 180 (21% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

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

    11.8%
    Advisory: 728Fail: 16 (2% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    10.4%
    Advisory: 448Fail: 113 (20% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    10.2%
    Advisory: 521Fail: 97 (16% of the times it was found)

Based on 4,398 MOT tests on 7-year-old Fiat Tipos, 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 Tipos notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Suspension + Tyres34%
  2. Brakes + Tyres34%
  3. Brakes + Suspension26%
  4. Other + Tyres18%

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

Across 1,624 MOT tests on Fiat Tipo 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 Tipo.

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

6 recalls in all

All 6 Fiat Tipo recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 3 Critical
  • 3 more

Top concerns

  • Fault in the air bag control module software
  • Driver airbag may fail to deploy
  • Steering wheel airbag may fail to deploy correctly

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

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Suzuki Celerio

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.5%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.5%

    Lower fail rate: 13.9%, against 24.1% for the Fiat Tipo, both built around 2018.

    5,662 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Toyota Aygo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.2%
    Dangerous
    4.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96%

    Lower fail rate: 13.0%, against 24.1% for the Fiat Tipo, both built around 2018.

    25,028 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Suzuki Swift

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.8%
    Dangerous
    3.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95%

    Lower fail rate: 14.7%, against 24.1% for the Fiat Tipo, both built around 2018.

    11,074 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Skoda Citigo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.6%
    Dangerous
    3.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.2%

    Lower fail rate: 15.3%, against 24.1% for the Fiat Tipo, both built around 2018.

    6,553 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 Tipo across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. It has the 5th lowest fail rate of 8 Fiat models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 4,398 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 Tipo ever sold: 16,741 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 4,398 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.