Most Reliable Abarth Models: Real MOT Data Analysis
We analysed 27,292 real UK MOT tests to reveal which Abarth models pass most often, which years to buy, and which to avoid entirely.
27,292 MOT tests analysed
Real DVSA data covering every Abarth model from 2000-2023
Key Findings
Most Reliable Model
Abarth 124 SPIDER MULTIAIR
90.2% pass rate
Best Single Year
124 SPIDER MULTIAIR 2018 Petrol
91.5% pass rate
Abarth vs National Average
78.8% vs 71.5%
+7.3% above average
Proven Durability Champion
500 2009
+8.7% at 13+ years
Abarth has built its reputation on reliability, but does the data back it up? We analysed 27,292 real MOT tests from the DVSA database to find out exactly which Abarth models live up to the hype and which ones fall short.
This isn't survey data or owner opinions. These are actual pass/fail results from UK garages, covering every Abarth model sold in the UK from 2000 to 2023.
How Abarth Compares to Rivals
Abarth ranks #21 out of 75 manufacturers with a 78.8% average MOT pass rate. That's above the national average of 71.5%:
| Manufacturer | Pass Rate | Rank | Tests Analysed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abarth | 78.8% | #21 | 27,292 |
| Toyota | 74.0% | #31 | 1,606,300 |
| Volkswagen | 72.2% | #43 | 2,967,545 |
| Nissan | 68.7% | #50 | 1,612,552 |
| Ford | 68.5% | #51 | 4,432,652 |
| Vauxhall | 65.4% | #59 | 3,038,498 |
The verdict: Abarth leads its competitors with a 78.8% pass rate. However, newer Abarth models significantly outperform this average.
Best Abarth Models by MOT Pass Rate
Looking at overall reliability across all years, here's how Abarth's core models rank against the 71.5% national average:
| Model | Pass Rate | vs National (71.5%) | Tests | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 124 SPIDER MULTIAIR | 90.2% | +18.6% | 1,585 | 2016-2019 |
| 595C | 84.3% | +12.8% | 1,751 | 2016-2020 |
| 595 | 80.5% | +9.0% | 16,533 | 2012-2020 |
| 500 | 67.2% | -4.3% | 5,414 | 2009-2015 |
Top performer
The 124 SPIDER MULTIAIR dramatically outperforms other Abarths with an 90.2% pass rate, putting it among the most reliable cars in the database.
Proven Durability Champions: Which Abarth Models Age Best?
These Abarth models have proven their durability with 11+ years of real-world MOT data. They're compared against the national average for cars of the same age:
High-confidence data: Only vehicles with 11+ years of MOT history and 500+ tests are included in this ranking.
| Model | Year | Fuel | vs Same-Age Average | Tested At | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 | 2009 | Petrol | +8.7% | 13+ years | 66.0% |
| 500 | 2011 | Petrol | +3.8% | 11-12 years | 66.6% |
| 500 | 2010 | Petrol | +3.2% | 11-12 years | 66.1% |
How to read this: A score of "+15%" means the model passes MOTs 15 percentage points more often than the average car of the same age. These are proven results from vehicles that have genuinely aged well.
Early Performers: Strong Start, Unproven Durability
These newer Abarth models (3-6 years old) show strong early results, but haven't yet proven long-term durability:
Important caveat: Durability NOT yet proven - these vehicles have not been tested at older ages. Older versions of the same model may tell a different story at 11+ years.
| Model | Year | Fuel | vs Same-Age Average | Tested At | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 595 | 2018 | Petrol | +1.3% | 5-6 years | 82.5% |
| 595 | 2019 | Petrol | +1.1% | 3-4 years | 86.9% |
What this means: These models are performing well in their early years, but we recommend checking the Durability Champions section above to see how older versions of the same model family have fared over time.
Abarth 595: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The 595 has 16,533 tests in our database with an overall 80.5% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Petrol | 88.6% | +0.9% | 1,660 |
| 2019 | Petrol | 86.9% | +0.7% | 2,317 |
| 2018 | Petrol | 83.5% | -0.8% | 3,586 |
| 2017 | Petrol | 78.7% | -3.0% | 3,092 |
| 2016 | Petrol | 76.4% | -2.2% | 2,983 |
| 2015 | Petrol | 74.2% | -1.3% | 1,664 |
| 2014 | Petrol | 73.8% | +2.1% | 554 |
| 2013 | Petrol | 71.2% | +2.9% | 489 |
| 2012 | Petrol | 68.6% | +3.0% | 188 |
595 verdict:
Abarth Hybrids vs Petrol vs Diesel
Abarth's fuel type comparison shows clear differences in reliability:
| Fuel Type | Average Pass Rate | vs National | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 78.6% | +7.1% | 25,764 |
Abarth Models to Avoid
Not all Abarths are reliable. These specific model/year combinations have failure rates well above average:
| Model | Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 | 2015 | Petrol | 71.0% (-6.2% vs same-age) | 739 |
| 500 | 2014 | Petrol | 68.4% (-6.4% vs same-age) | 788 |
| 500 | 2013 | Petrol | 65.1% (-6.2% vs same-age) | 547 |
| 595 | 2017 | Petrol | 78.7% (-3.5% vs same-age) | 3,092 |
| 595 | 2016 | Petrol | 76.4% (-3.6% vs same-age) | 2,983 |
| 595 | 2015 | Petrol | 74.2% (-3.0% vs same-age) | 1,664 |
| 595 | 2018 | Petrol | 83.5% (-1.5% vs same-age) | 3,586 |
| 595 | 2019 | Petrol | 86.9% | 2,317 |
| 595 | 2020 | Petrol | 88.4% | 1,516 |
| 595 | 2014 | Petrol | 73.8% (-0.8% vs same-age) | 554 |
Pattern to avoid
Early 2013-2015 petrol 500s, 2014-2020 petrol 595s are the models that drag down Abarth's average. These vehicles fail MOTs more often than they pass.
What Goes Wrong on Abarths?
When Abarths fail MOTs, these are the most common causes:
| Failure Category | Total Failures |
|---|---|
| 1. Suspension | 1,759 |
| 2. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 1,699 |
| 3. Tyres | 1,433 |
| 4. Brakes | 966 |
| 5. Visibility | 927 |
| 6. Noise, emissions and leaks | 588 |
| 7. Body, chassis, structure | 448 |
Pre-MOT checklist for Abarth owners:
- Inspect suspension bushes and anti-roll bar links
- Check all bulbs (number plate lights are commonly missed)
- Ensure tyres meet 1.6mm tread requirement
- Check brake pad thickness and disc condition
- Clean windscreen and check wiper blade condition
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Buying Recommendations
Best If Buying Nearly New
2019-2023 models with highest early pass rates
- 595 2020 Petrol: 88% pass rate
Note: Long-term durability not yet proven for these newer models
Best If Buying Used (Proven)
11+ years of proven durability data
- 500 2009-2011: +5% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
Abarth Models to Avoid (Proven Poor)
Proven below average at 11+ years - not just old, genuinely problematic
- No major proven reliability concerns
About This Data
This analysis uses real MOT test results from the DVSA database, covering 27,292 tests on Abarth vehicles between 2000 and 2023.
Year-Adjusted Scoring (v2.1): In year-by-year breakdowns, each vehicle is compared against the national average for vehicles of the same model year. This removes the natural bias where newer cars pass more often, allowing fair comparisons across eras.
Evidence-Tiered Durability: We separate "proven durability" (vehicles tested at 11+ years old) from "early performers" (3-6 years old). Only vehicles with proven long-term data are used for durability claims. Age-band comparisons use weighted national averages.
Minimum thresholds: 500 tests for proven durability rankings, 1,000 tests for early performer rankings. Pass rates are calculated as first-time passes, excluding retests.
The overall national average MOT pass rate is 71.51% based on 32.3 million tests across all manufacturers. Year-specific averages range from ~59% (2009 vehicles) to ~88% (2020 vehicles).
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