Fiat Tempra Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Fiat Tempra car check
Is the Fiat Tempra reliable? We analysed 13,335 real MOT tests across 3,542 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Fiat Tempra? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Fiat Tempra 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 seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Fiat Tempra.
Fiat Tempra Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Fiat Tempra. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Fiat Tempra MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Fiat Tempra to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Fiat Tempra Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Fiat Tempra fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Fiat Tempra Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Fiat Tempra owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Fiat Tempra MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Fiat Tempra year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 1,042 | 60.7% | 61,229 | 82,050 | 106,156 |
| 1995 | 4,147 | 60.0% | 63,286 | 86,412 | 107,974 |
| 1994 | 3,462 | 59.8% | 58,574 | 87,506 | 109,890 |
| 1993 | 2,396 | 60.6% | 46,474 | 85,045 | 106,348 |
| 1992 | 1,138 | 62.9% | 47,568 | 76,622 | 101,897 |
| 1991 | 832 | 62.0% | 46,570 | 76,078 | 99,471 |
| 1990 | 226 | 65.9% | 49,467 | 67,674 | 93,435 |
How Long Does a Fiat Tempra Last?
Based on 3,542 Fiat Tempra vehicles on UK roads.
Fiat Tempra Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Fiat Tempra 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 Tempra
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
65.9% MOT pass rate from 226 tests
59.8% MOT pass rate from 3,462 tests
The best year to buy a used Fiat Tempra is 1990, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 65.9% across 226 tests. The 1994 model year has the lowest pass rate at 59.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Fiat Tempra Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiat Tempra THIS CAR | 60.7% | 13,335 | 84,135 mi | 36 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 |
| Land Rover SWB | 72.7% | 5,400 | 49,555 mi | 70 yrs |
Compared to the Fiat Punto (68.7% pass rate) and the Fiat 500 (76.9% pass rate), the Fiat Tempra trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Fiat Tempra 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 TempraShould you buy a used Fiat Tempra?
The Fiat Tempra has an overall MOT pass rate of 60.7% across 13,335 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Fiat Tempra are brake pipe excessively corroded (2,170 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (971), and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (824). 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 Tempra owner drives around 3,889 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 Tempra models stay on UK roads for around 36 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.