Fiat Cinquecent Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Fiat Cinquecent car check
Is the Fiat Cinquecent reliable? We analysed 1,709 real MOT tests across 342 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Fiat Cinquecent? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Fiat Cinquecent is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, parking brake recording little or no effort and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Fiat Cinquecent.
Fiat Cinquecent Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Fiat Cinquecent. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Fiat Cinquecent MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Fiat Cinquecent to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Fiat Cinquecent Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Fiat Cinquecent fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Fiat Cinquecent Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Fiat Cinquecent owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Fiat Cinquecent MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Fiat Cinquecent year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 107 | 55.1% | 50,506 | 64,668 | 77,221 |
| 1996 | 374 | 60.2% | 46,062 | 62,832 | 76,745 |
| 1995 | 441 | 61.7% | 53,824 | 65,238 | 78,846 |
| 1994 | 560 | 61.4% | 53,311 | 65,484 | 80,752 |
| 1993 | 227 | 59.0% | 53,663 | 68,026 | 82,748 |
How Long Does a Fiat Cinquecent Last?
Based on 342 Fiat Cinquecent vehicles on UK roads.
Fiat Cinquecent Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Fiat Cinquecent 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 Cinquecent
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
61.7% MOT pass rate from 441 tests
55.1% MOT pass rate from 107 tests
The best year to buy a used Fiat Cinquecent is 1995, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 61.7% across 441 tests. The 1997 model year has the lowest pass rate at 55.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Fiat Cinquecent Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiat Cinquecent THIS CAR | 60.5% | 1,709 | 64,986 mi | 33 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 |
| Saab 90 | 64.9% | 1,363 | 112,370 mi | 42 yrs |
Compared to the Fiat Punto (68.7% pass rate) and the Fiat 500 (76.9% pass rate), the Fiat Cinquecent trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Fiat Cinquecent 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 CinquecentShould you buy a used Fiat Cinquecent?
The Fiat Cinquecent has an overall MOT pass rate of 60.5% across 1,709 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Fiat Cinquecent are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (252 recorded failures), parking brake recording little or no effort (148), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (133). 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 Cinquecent owner drives around 4,100 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 Cinquecent models stay on UK roads for around 33 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.