Fiat Marea SX Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Fiat Marea SX car check
Is the Fiat Marea SX reliable? We analysed 554 real MOT tests across 125 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Fiat Marea SX? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Fiat Marea SX is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pipe excessively corroded, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Fiat Marea SX.
Fiat Marea SX Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Fiat Marea SX. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Fiat Marea SX MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Fiat Marea SX to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Fiat Marea SX Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Fiat Marea SX fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Fiat Marea SX Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Fiat Marea SX owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Fiat Marea SX MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Fiat Marea SX year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 73 | 57.5% | 57,352 | 70,415 | 86,097 |
| 1998 | 247 | 60.3% | 58,908 | 76,374 | 88,878 |
| 1997 | 213 | 62.0% | 63,784 | 76,821 | 89,505 |
How Long Does a Fiat Marea SX Last?
Based on 125 Fiat Marea SX vehicles on UK roads.
Fiat Marea SX Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Fiat Marea SX 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 Marea SX
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
62.0% MOT pass rate from 213 tests
57.5% MOT pass rate from 73 tests
The best year to buy a used Fiat Marea SX is 1997, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 62.0% across 213 tests. The 1999 model year has the lowest pass rate at 57.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Fiat Marea SX Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiat Marea SX THIS CAR | 60.8% | 554 | 75,688 mi | 29 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 |
| Jawa 350 | 86.4% | 531 | 8,912 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Fiat Punto (68.7% pass rate) and the Fiat 500 (76.9% pass rate), the Fiat Marea SX trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Fiat Marea SX 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 Marea SXShould you buy a used Fiat Marea SX?
The Fiat Marea SX has an overall MOT pass rate of 60.8% across 554 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Fiat Marea SX are brake pipe excessively corroded (85 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (75), and suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (33). 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 Marea SX owner drives around 6,450 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 Marea SX models stay on UK roads for around 29 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.