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Fiat Tipo Mk1 (356) (2016-present) reliability

At a glance

Fiat Tipo Mk1 (356) built around 2018: fails its MOT more often than average

Fiat Tipo Mk1 (356) 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.

Looking at a Fiat Tipo Mk1 (356) right now?

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

Key figure

24% of MOT tests on Fiat Tipo Mk1 (356) models 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 Tipo Mk1 (356) models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Fiat Tipo Mk1 (356)
poor reliability2016-presentHatchbackPETROL / DIESEL

Based on 16,686 tests of Tipo models registered 2016+.

About 1 in 5 petrol Tipo cars registered in 2022 (21.6%) failed their first MOT.

Based on 385 first MOTs (DVSA MOT results, 2025).

About 1 in 20 Tipo Mk1 (356) MOTs (5.8%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2018 (7 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 4,398 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 15 Tipo Mk1 (356) MOTs (7.2%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2018 (7 years old).

Based on 4,398 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk1 (356) 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
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%

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 8 years old.

How the Tipo Mk1 (356) compares

At each age below, see how the Tipo Mk1 (356) 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
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%

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.

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.

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Tipo Mk1 (356).

  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 Mk1 (356), 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 Mk1 (356), 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 Mk1 (356), 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 Mk1 (356), 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.

Recall context

6 recalls in all

5 of the 6 Tipo Mk1 (356) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 3 Critical
  • 2 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.

What has gone wrong on Tipo Mk1 (356) cars built around 2018

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 86 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
34%
Emissions
5%
Drivetrain
1%
Bodywork
1%

Wear items

Tyres
26%
Brakes
12%
Lighting
5%
How Tipo Mk1 (356) cars have aged

How Tipo Mk1 (356) 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%3456789Age at MOTBuilt around 2021, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 19.4% (918 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2021, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 18.9% (804 tests, 2025 data)2021Built around 2020, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 13.8% (877 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2020, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 16.0% (821 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2020, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 16.6% (802 tests, 2025 data)2020Built around 2019, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 16.1% (1,503 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2019, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 16.9% (1,355 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2019, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 18.0% (1,273 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2019, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 19.2% (1,263 tests, 2025 data)2019Built around 2018, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 16.5% (1,987 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2018, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 17.8% (1,793 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2018, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 19.8% (1,712 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2018, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 21.5% (1,692 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2018, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 22.7% (1,653 tests, 2025 data)2018Built around 2017, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 20.5% (5,419 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2017, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 21.2% (5,373 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2017, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 23.0% (5,271 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2017, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 23.9% (5,121 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2017, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 24.6% (5,025 tests, 2025 data)2017Built around 2016, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 17.9% (765 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2016, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 21.6% (726 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2016, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 21.6% (635 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2016, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 21.0% (596 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2016, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 20.9% (537 tests, 2025 data)2016
First registered around 2021First registered around 2020First registered around 2019First registered around 2018
How each part holds up as Mk1 (356) cars age

How each part holds up as Mk1 (356) 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
Suspension15%21%34%40%
Brakes8%8%12%24%
Emissions3%3%5%6%
Tyres11%19%26%30%
Lighting11%7%5%12%
DrivetrainNo figureNo figure1%No figure
BodyworkNo figureNo figure1%No figure
Corrosion0%0%0%0%

Based on petrol cars in the 2017-2020 build-year band, from 62 to 376 cars at each age.

Mk1 (356) variants compared

Tipo Mk1 (356) variants built around 2018

The fail rate for each Tipo Mk1 (356) variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Petrol

  • TIPO23.6%3,103 tests

Diesel

  • TIPO25.5%1,293 tests
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Fiat Tipos of this age

This list covers every Fiat Tipo built around 2018, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk1 (356) 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

    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 tests

Looking at a Fiat Tipo Mk1 (356) right now?

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 Tipo Mk1 (356) (2016-present) fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 4,398 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 16,686 MOT tests on Fiat Tipos first registered from 2016. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.