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Fiat Stilo 16V Active Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Fiat Stilo 16V Active car check

Is the Fiat Stilo 16V Active reliable? We analysed 663 real MOT tests across 190 vehicles to find out.

Got a specific Fiat Stilo 16V Active? Enter the reg for a free check:

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Data last updated: · Based on 663 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
68.2%
Typical Mileage
54,424mi
Annual Mileage
8,636mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
24yrs

The Fiat Stilo 16V Active is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, headlamp aim too low and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Fiat Stilo 16V Active.

Fiat Stilo 16V Active Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Fiat Stilo 16V Active. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Fiat Stilo 16V Active MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Fiat Stilo 16V Active to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

74%
2003
67%
2002

Fiat Stilo 16V Active Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Fiat Stilo 16V Active fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 89
Headlamp aim too low 26
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 22
Headlamp not working on dipped beam 21
Stop lamp not working 18
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 18
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 18
Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image 18
coil spring incomplete 15
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 13

Fiat Stilo 16V Active Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Fiat Stilo 16V Active owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
5,876 mi/yr
Typical
8,636 mi/yr
Average
9,910 mi/yr
Heavy usage
13,091 mi/yr

Fiat Stilo 16V Active MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Fiat Stilo 16V Active year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2003 96 74.0% 26,432 40,686 53,409
2002 476 67.0% 39,577 54,166 70,019

How Long Does a Fiat Stilo 16V Active Last?

Based on 190 Fiat Stilo 16V Active vehicles on UK roads.

Average
5.6 years
Median
6.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
24 years

Fiat Stilo 16V Active Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Fiat Stilo 16V Active MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
54,424 mi
75th Percentile
76,475 mi
95th Percentile
105,936 mi
Max Recorded
554,885 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Fiat Stilo 16V Active

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2003

74.0% MOT pass rate from 96 tests

Year to avoid
2002

67.0% MOT pass rate from 476 tests

The best year to buy a used Fiat Stilo 16V Active is 2003, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 74.0% across 96 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 67.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Fiat Stilo 16V Active Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Fiat Stilo 16V Active THIS CAR 68.2% 663 54,424 mi 24 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
Jeep Wrangler Night Eagle Unltd A 88.6% 613 32,542 mi — yrs

Compared to the Fiat Punto (68.7% pass rate) and the Fiat 500 (76.9% pass rate), the Fiat Stilo 16V Active trails behind on MOT reliability.

Found a Fiat Stilo 16V Active 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.

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Should you buy a used Fiat Stilo 16V Active?

The Fiat Stilo 16V Active has an overall MOT pass rate of 68.2% across 663 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Fiat Stilo 16V Active are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (89 recorded failures), headlamp aim too low (26), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (22). 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 Stilo 16V Active owner drives around 8,636 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 Stilo 16V Active models stay on UK roads for around 24 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.

Fiat Stilo 16V Active — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Fiat Stilo 16V Active reliable?
Based on 663 MOT tests, the Fiat Stilo 16V Active has a 68.2% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Fiat Stilo 16V Active?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, headlamp aim too low, and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Fiat Stilo 16V Active do per year?
The typical Fiat Stilo 16V Active does around 8,636 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Fiat Stilo 16V Active last?
Most Fiat Stilo 16V Active models stay on UK roads for around 24 years based on our analysis of 190 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Fiat Stilo 16V Active?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Fiat Stilo 16V Active?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Fiat Stilo 16V Active is 2003 with a 74.0% pass rate across 96 tests.