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Fiat Tipo Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Fiat Tipo car check

Is the Fiat Tipo reliable? We analysed 127,347 real MOT tests across 22,694 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 127,347 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
74.4%
Typical Mileage
53,495mi
Annual Mileage
6,126mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
34yrs

The Fiat Tipo is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pipe excessively corroded, 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 Tipo.

Fiat Tipo Number Plates

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

Fiat Tipo MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

81.8%
2021
84.6%
2020
82.8%
2019
80.6%
2018
79.2%
2017
80.6%
2016
61.2%
1995
60.6%
1994
61.4%
1993
61.3%
1992
63.7%
1991
62.1%
1990
62.6%
1989
63.5%
1988

Fiat Tipo Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Brake pipe excessively corroded 5,060
brake recording little or no effort 2,369
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 2,327
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 2,135
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 1,862
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 1,860
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 1,626
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 1,525

Fiat Tipo Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Fiat Tipo models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 2,421

Fiat Tipo Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
3,523 mi/yr
Typical
6,126 mi/yr
Average
7,275 mi/yr
Heavy usage
9,442 mi/yr

Fiat Tipo MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2021 874 81.8% 19,754 29,115 42,630
2020 4,013 84.6% 20,027 29,998 43,452
2019 8,280 82.8% 21,685 33,039 47,920
2018 13,297 80.6% 25,088 37,970 54,968
2017 51,223 79.2% 33,902 48,492 65,510
2016 10,268 80.6% 28,978 43,512 62,460
1995 9,132 61.2% 62,760 80,941 100,051
1994 12,024 60.6% 64,989 84,804 105,265
1993 7,444 61.4% 66,407 85,314 105,287
1992 3,711 61.3% 61,491 86,195 107,558
1991 2,160 63.7% 52,687 77,979 98,724
1990 2,162 62.1% 53,170 78,112 105,237
1989 1,544 62.6% 41,567 72,900 100,100
1988 345 63.5% 48,646 78,708 101,136

How Long Does a Fiat Tipo Last?

Based on 22,694 Fiat Tipo vehicles on UK roads.

Average
10.0 years
Median
8.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
34 years

Fiat Tipo Mileage Distribution

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

Median
53,495 mi
75th Percentile
78,134 mi
95th Percentile
118,237 mi
Max Recorded
974,346 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Fiat Tipo

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

Best year
2020

84.6% MOT pass rate from 4,013 tests

Year to avoid
1994

60.6% MOT pass rate from 12,024 tests

The best year to buy a used Fiat Tipo is 2020, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 84.6% across 4,013 tests. The 1994 model year has the lowest pass rate at 60.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Fiat Tipo Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Fiat Tipo THIS CAR 74.4% 127,347 53,495 mi 34 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
Vauxhall Crossland 86% 194,349 31,727 mi — yrs

Compared to the Fiat Punto (68.7% pass rate) and the Fiat 500 (76.9% pass rate), the Fiat Tipo sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Fiat Tipo?

The Fiat Tipo has an overall MOT pass rate of 74.4% across 127,347 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Fiat Tipo are brake pipe excessively corroded (5,060 recorded failures), brake recording little or no effort (2,369), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (2,327). 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.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Fiat Tipo with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

A typical Fiat Tipo owner drives around 6,126 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 Tipo models stay on UK roads for around 34 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 Tipo — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Fiat Tipo reliable?
Based on 127,347 MOT tests, the Fiat Tipo has a 74.4% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Fiat Tipo?
The most common MOT failures are brake pipe excessively corroded, brake recording little or no effort, and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Fiat Tipo do per year?
The typical Fiat Tipo does around 6,126 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Fiat Tipo last?
Most Fiat Tipo models stay on UK roads for around 34 years based on our analysis of 22,694 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Fiat Tipo?
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 Tipo?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Fiat Tipo is 2020 with a 84.6% pass rate across 4,013 tests.