Fiat 500 S Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Fiat 500 S car check
Is the Fiat 500 S reliable? We analysed 2,706 real MOT tests across 503 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Fiat 500 S? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Fiat 500 S is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Fiat 500 S.
Fiat 500 S Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Fiat 500 S. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Fiat 500 S Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Fiat 500 S models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Fiat 500 S Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Fiat 500 S owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Fiat 500 S Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Fiat 500 S MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
How Does the Fiat 500 S Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiat 500 S THIS CAR | 84.7% | 2,706 | 46,536 mi | — 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 |
| Renault Arkana RS Line Tce MHEV Auto | 88.9% | 1,592 | 25,892 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Fiat Punto (68.7% pass rate) and the Fiat 500 (76.9% pass rate), the Fiat 500 S outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Fiat 500 S 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 SShould you buy a used Fiat 500 S?
The Fiat 500 S has an overall MOT pass rate of 84.7% across 2,706 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
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 S 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 S owner drives around 5,140 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.
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.