Abarth 500 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Abarth 500 car check
Is the Abarth 500 reliable? We analysed 88,456 real MOT tests across 6,683 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Abarth 500? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Abarth 500 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and shock absorber has an excessively worn bush. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Abarth 500.
Abarth 500 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Abarth 500. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Abarth 500 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Abarth 500 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Abarth 500 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Abarth 500 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Abarth 500 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Abarth 500 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Abarth 500 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Abarth 500 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Abarth 500 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Abarth 500 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 639 | 80.9% | 20,611 | 29,298 | 42,859 |
| 2015 | 7,846 | 80.2% | 25,212 | 38,565 | 54,442 |
| 2014 | 9,424 | 79.0% | 27,012 | 41,032 | 58,065 |
| 2013 | 7,506 | 78.3% | 29,719 | 45,820 | 64,940 |
| 2012 | 12,253 | 76.3% | 30,922 | 48,139 | 67,450 |
| 2011 | 15,456 | 75.6% | 31,193 | 49,717 | 71,068 |
| 2010 | 18,405 | 75.2% | 32,590 | 51,997 | 74,468 |
| 2009 | 15,855 | 75.6% | 33,936 | 54,884 | 78,159 |
How Long Does a Abarth 500 Last?
Based on 6,683 Abarth 500 vehicles on UK roads.
Abarth 500 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Abarth 500 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Abarth 500
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
80.9% MOT pass rate from 639 tests
75.2% MOT pass rate from 18,405 tests
The best year to buy a used Abarth 500 is 2016, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 80.9% across 639 tests. The 2010 model year has the lowest pass rate at 75.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Abarth 500 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abarth 500 THIS CAR | 76.7% | 88,456 | 47,942 mi | 17 yrs |
| Abarth 595 | 83.6% | 133,086 | 30,667 mi | 14 yrs |
| Abarth 595C | 85.9% | 12,456 | 23,642 mi | 10 yrs |
| Abarth Punto | 75.6% | 8,805 | 57,062 mi | 18 yrs |
| Mazda Premacy | 70.5% | 131,632 | 73,101 mi | 27 yrs |
Compared to the Abarth 595 (83.6% pass rate) and the Abarth 595C (85.9% pass rate), the Abarth 500 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Abarth 500 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Abarth 500Should you buy a used Abarth 500?
The Abarth 500 has an overall MOT pass rate of 76.7% across 88,456 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Abarth 500 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (1,205 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (599), and shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (523). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Abarth 500 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Abarth 500 owner drives around 4,666 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Abarth 500 models stay on UK roads for around 17 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.