The picture
Seicento: a below-average pass rate worth digging into
Across 2,239 MOT tests, the Seicento returns 62.9% first-time pass — well below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is headlamp aim out of spec. The strength or continuity of the load bearing and a split CV-joint boot round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 58,669, 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.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
- 01
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
177 occurrences · 7.9% of tests
- 02
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
153 occurrences · 6.8% of tests
- 03
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
130 occurrences · 5.8% of tests
- 04
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
116 occurrences · 5.2% of tests
- 05
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
113 occurrences · 5.0% of tests
- 06
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
111 occurrences · 5.0% of tests
- 07
Brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle.
106 occurrences · 4.7% of tests
- 08
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
99 occurrences · 4.4% of tests
- 09
Exhaust system leaking or insecure
98 occurrences · 4.4% of tests
- 10
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
83 occurrences · 3.7% 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
£50–£170
If every one of this Seicento'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 →
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Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Buying or keeping a Seicento?
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 Seicento 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.