Fiat 128 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Fiat 128 car check
Is the Fiat 128 reliable? We analysed 569 real MOT tests across 119 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Fiat 128? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Fiat 128 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Fiat 128.
Fiat 128 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Fiat 128. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Fiat 128 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Fiat 128 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Fiat 128 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Fiat 128 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Fiat 128 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Fiat 128 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Fiat 128 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Fiat 128 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | 78 | 70.5% | 36,010 | 69,741 | 76,608 |
| 1977 | 75 | 73.3% | 30,822 | 41,356 | 58,111 |
| 1976 | 88 | 72.7% | 48,444 | 56,412 | 73,746 |
How Long Does a Fiat 128 Last?
Based on 119 Fiat 128 vehicles on UK roads.
Fiat 128 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Fiat 128 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 Fiat 128
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
73.3% MOT pass rate from 75 tests
70.5% MOT pass rate from 78 tests
The best year to buy a used Fiat 128 is 1977, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 73.3% across 75 tests. The 1978 model year has the lowest pass rate at 70.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Fiat 128 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiat 128 THIS CAR | 73.1% | 569 | 49,001 mi | 50 yrs |
| Fiat Punto | 68.7% | 6,712,102 | 61,468 mi | 32 yrs |
| Fiat 500 | 76.9% | 3,854,072 | 42,469 mi | 18 yrs |
| Fiat Ducato | 75% | 1,962,737 | 48,690 mi | 38 yrs |
| Peugeot 307 Sw SE HDI | 72.7% | 319 | 130,577 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Fiat Punto (68.7% pass rate) and the Fiat 500 (76.9% pass rate), the Fiat 128 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Fiat 128 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 Fiat 128Should you buy a used Fiat 128?
The Fiat 128 has an overall MOT pass rate of 73.1% across 569 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Fiat 128 are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (21 recorded failures), windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (20), and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (18). 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.
A typical Fiat 128 owner drives around 637 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 Fiat 128 models stay on UK roads for around 50 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.