Abarth
500
13,065 MOT tests analysed. lands in the middle of the pack — here's where 500s pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's in line with the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models.
Pass
77.3%
Pass-after-fix
4.3%
Fail
17.8%
Avg miles
70,378
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
Petrol cars first registered from January 2006 meet Euro 4 — compliant in London ULEZ, Birmingham CAZ, Bristol CAZ, and Glasgow LEZ.
The picture
500: middle-of-the-pack on first-time pass
Across 6,844 MOT tests, the 500 returns 73.0% first-time pass — below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a worn shock-absorber bush. A split CV-joint boot and worn suspension bushes round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 65,371, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
ABI Insurance Group
Group 15–22
Below the fleet average — generally reasonable to insure. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.
Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →
15–22
out of 50
Top ten reasons for rejection.
Filter failures:
Hide categories
Tick a category to hide it from rankings sitewide. Saved in this browser only.
- 01
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
429 occurrences · 3.3% of tests
- 02
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
281 occurrences · 2.2% of tests
- 03
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
237 occurrences · 1.8% of tests
- 04
A shock absorber bush excessively worn
233 occurrences · 1.8% of tests
- 05
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
221 occurrences · 1.7% of tests
- 06
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
213 occurrences · 1.6% of tests
- 07
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
184 occurrences · 1.4% of tests
- 08
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
171 occurrences · 1.3% of tests
- 09
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
152 occurrences · 1.2% of tests
- 10
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
150 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 2 failures
£160–£480
If every one of this 500's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
Try the calculator
Build your own retest budget.
My Motor World · affiliate
Parts & supplies for this fix
Affiliate links — small commission, no extra cost to you.
Click Mechanic · affiliate
Book a mobile mechanic
Affiliate links — small commission, no extra cost to you.
Mobile mechanic · UK-wide
Book a mechanic at your door.
Fixed-price quotes upfront. No garage needed. Click Mechanic sends a vetted local mechanic to you — home, work, or roadside.
Buying or keeping a 500?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a 500 and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.