Fiat 850 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Fiat 850 car check
Is the Fiat 850 reliable? We analysed 956 real MOT tests across 122 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Fiat 850? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Fiat 850 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pipe excessively corroded, position lamp(s) not working and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Fiat 850.
Fiat 850 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Fiat 850. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Fiat 850 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Fiat 850 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Fiat 850 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Fiat 850 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Fiat 850 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Fiat 850 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Fiat 850 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Fiat 850 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 280 | 73.6% | 27,022 | 36,958 | 54,574 |
| 1971 | 213 | 79.3% | 44,729 | 60,718 | 65,876 |
| 1967 | 52 | 75.0% | 21,461 | 24,142 | 57,343 |
How Long Does a Fiat 850 Last?
Based on 122 Fiat 850 vehicles on UK roads.
Fiat 850 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Fiat 850 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 850
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
79.3% MOT pass rate from 213 tests
73.6% MOT pass rate from 280 tests
The best year to buy a used Fiat 850 is 1971, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 79.3% across 213 tests. The 2001 model year has the lowest pass rate at 73.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Fiat 850 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiat 850 THIS CAR | 75.9% | 956 | 48,233 mi | 59 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 S Edition Tce MHEV Auto | 88.8% | 1,008 | 24,954 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Fiat Punto (68.7% pass rate) and the Fiat 500 (76.9% pass rate), the Fiat 850 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Fiat 850 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 850Should you buy a used Fiat 850?
The Fiat 850 has an overall MOT pass rate of 75.9% across 956 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 Fiat 850 are brake pipe excessively corroded (26 recorded failures), position lamp(s) not working (25), and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (25). 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 850 owner drives around 577 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 850 models stay on UK roads for around 59 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.