Fiat 500 C Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Fiat 500 C car check
Is the Fiat 500 C reliable? We analysed 67,982 real MOT tests across 4,583 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Fiat 500 C? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Fiat 500 C is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Fiat 500 C.
Fiat 500 C Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Fiat 500 C. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Fiat 500 C MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Fiat 500 C to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Fiat 500 C Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Fiat 500 C fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Fiat 500 C Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Fiat 500 C models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Fiat 500 C Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Fiat 500 C owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Fiat 500 C MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Fiat 500 C year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 191 | 77.0% | 28,287 | 43,507 | 59,090 |
| 2014 | 6,605 | 79.6% | 23,892 | 37,030 | 53,162 |
| 2013 | 6,224 | 78.4% | 26,726 | 41,438 | 59,086 |
| 2012 | 11,413 | 75.2% | 29,881 | 46,484 | 65,566 |
| 2011 | 22,615 | 73.8% | 30,386 | 47,714 | 67,982 |
| 2010 | 12,027 | 72.8% | 29,388 | 47,735 | 70,028 |
| 2009 | 8,229 | 72.5% | 30,924 | 50,650 | 74,208 |
| 2008 | 267 | 73.8% | 29,302 | 45,829 | 64,992 |
How Long Does a Fiat 500 C Last?
Based on 4,583 Fiat 500 C vehicles on UK roads.
Fiat 500 C Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Fiat 500 C 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 500 C
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
79.6% MOT pass rate from 6,605 tests
72.5% MOT pass rate from 8,229 tests
The best year to buy a used Fiat 500 C is 2014, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 79.6% across 6,605 tests. The 2009 model year has the lowest pass rate at 72.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Fiat 500 C Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiat 500 C THIS CAR | 74.7% | 67,982 | 46,031 mi | 17 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 |
| Mazda E Series | 68.3% | 81,836 | 105,896 mi | 36 yrs |
Compared to the Fiat Punto (68.7% pass rate) and the Fiat 500 (76.9% pass rate), the Fiat 500 C sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Fiat 500 C 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 500 CShould you buy a used Fiat 500 C?
The Fiat 500 C has an overall MOT pass rate of 74.7% across 67,982 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common failure point is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm with 615 recorded occurrences. Check for this on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection.
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 Fiat 500 C with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Fiat 500 C owner drives around 4,059 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 500 C 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.