Most Reliable Fiat Models: Real MOT Data Analysis
We analysed 780,941 real UK MOT tests to reveal which Fiat models pass most often, which years to buy, and which to avoid entirely.
780,941 MOT tests analysed
Real DVSA data covering every Fiat model from 2000-2023
Key Findings
Most Reliable Model
Fiat SWIFT
90.6% pass rate
Best Single Year
DUCATO 2010 Diesel
80.4% pass rate
Fiat vs National Average
68.3% vs 71.5%
-3.2% below average
Proven Durability Champion
DUCATO 2010
+23.7% at 13+ years
Fiat has built its reputation on reliability, but does the data back it up? We analysed 780,941 real MOT tests from the DVSA database to find out exactly which Fiat 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 Fiat model sold in the UK from 2000 to 2023.
How Fiat Compares to Rivals
Fiat ranks #52 out of 75 manufacturers with a 68.3% average MOT pass rate. That's below the national average of 71.5%:
| Manufacturer | Pass Rate | Rank | Tests Analysed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dacia | 72.0% | #44 | 180,123 |
| Fiat | 68.3% | #52 | 780,941 |
| Peugeot | 66.1% | #58 | 1,428,753 |
| Vauxhall | 65.4% | #59 | 3,038,498 |
| Citroen | 63.1% | #61 | 1,028,111 |
| Renault | 61.8% | #66 | 1,009,899 |
The verdict: Dacia maintains a lead among competitors, while Fiat sits at #52. However, newer Fiat models significantly outperform this average.
Best Fiat Models by MOT Pass Rate
Looking at overall reliability across all years, here's how Fiat's core models rank against the 71.5% national average:
| Model | Pass Rate | vs National (71.5%) | Tests | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SWIFT | 90.6% | +19.1% | 6,217 | 2015-2020 |
| BURSTNER | 90.3% | +18.8% | 587 | 2016-2019 |
| AUTO TRAIL | 90.2% | +18.7% | 9,172 | 2011-2020 |
| UNCLASSIFIED | 87.8% | +16.3% | 3,849 | 2004-2020 |
| 124 | 87.1% | +15.6% | 2,804 | 2016-2018 |
| ROLLER TEAM | 86.4% | +14.9% | 2,514 | 2014-2020 |
| FULLBACK | 82.1% | +10.6% | 2,922 | 2016-2019 |
| 500X | 79.3% | +7.8% | 33,594 | 2015-2020 |
| DUCATO | 75.2% | +3.7% | 63,931 | 2000-2022 |
| TIPO | 74.6% | +3.1% | 12,043 | 2016-2020 |
Top performer
The SWIFT dramatically outperforms other Fiats with an 90.6% pass rate, putting it among the most reliable cars in the database.
Proven Durability Champions: Which Fiat Models Age Best?
These Fiat 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DUCATO | 2010 | Diesel | +23.7% | 13+ years | 81.0% |
| DUCATO | 2009 | Diesel | +21.4% | 13+ years | 78.7% |
| DUCATO | 2012 | Diesel | +20.6% | 11-12 years | 83.4% |
| DUCATO | 2008 | Diesel | +18.3% | 13+ years | 75.6% |
| DUCATO | 2011 | Diesel | +18.0% | 11-12 years | 80.8% |
| DUCATO | 2010 | Diesel | +17.1% | 11-12 years | 79.9% |
| DUCATO | 2007 | Diesel | +15.8% | 13+ years | 73.1% |
| DUCATO | 2006 | Diesel | +11.8% | 13+ years | 69.2% |
| DUCATO | 2005 | Diesel | +9.9% | 13+ years | 67.2% |
| DUCATO | 2003 | Diesel | +7.4% | 13+ years | 64.7% |
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.
Proven durability champion
The DUCATO 2010 outperforms the average 13+ years-old car by 24 percentage points, with 1,673 MOT tests proving its reliability.
Early Performers: Strong Start, Unproven Durability
These newer Fiat 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUTO TRAIL | 2017 | Diesel | +10.4% | 5-6 years | 91.6% |
| SWIFT | 2017 | Diesel | +10.4% | 5-6 years | 91.6% |
| SWIFT | 2019 | Diesel | +5.4% | 3-4 years | 91.2% |
| 500X | 2019 | Petrol | +5.2% | 3-4 years | 91.0% |
| SWIFT | 2018 | Diesel | +4.8% | 3-4 years | 90.6% |
| AUTO TRAIL | 2019 | Diesel | +4.5% | 3-4 years | 90.4% |
| DUCATO | 2016 | Diesel | +4.2% | 5-6 years | 85.4% |
| 500X | 2018 | Petrol | +3.3% | 3-4 years | 89.1% |
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.
Fiat DUCATO: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The DUCATO has 63,931 tests in our database with an overall 75.2% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Diesel | 78.5% | -14.4% | 209 |
| 2021 | Diesel | 89.1% | -1.7% | 534 |
| 2020 | Diesel | 89.1% | +1.4% | 1,513 |
| 2019 | Diesel | 85.2% | -1.0% | 2,023 |
| 2018 | Diesel | 84.8% | +0.6% | 1,808 |
| 2017 | Diesel | 84.1% | +2.4% | 2,065 |
| 2016 | Diesel | 84.7% | +6.0% | 2,790 |
| 2015 | Diesel | 83.9% | +8.4% | 2,764 |
| 2014 | Diesel | 81.1% | +9.4% | 2,401 |
| 2013 | Diesel | 81.7% | +13.4% | 2,288 |
| 2012 | Diesel | 81.5% | +15.8% | 2,581 |
| 2011 | Diesel | 80.8% | +17.8% | 3,206 |
| ... | ||||
| 2000 | Diesel | 59.1% | -1.5% | 1,543 |
DUCATO verdict: Avoid the 2000 diesel (59.1%).
Avoid early DUCATO models
The 2000 diesel DUCATO has a 59.1% pass rate, failing MOTs more often than passing.
Fiat Hybrids vs Petrol vs Diesel
Fiat's fuel type comparison shows clear differences in reliability:
| Fuel Type | Average Pass Rate | vs National | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 70.0% | -1.5% | 202,171 |
| Petrol | 67.3% | -4.2% | 555,814 |
Fiat Models to Avoid
Not all Fiats are reliable. These specific model/year combinations have failure rates well above average:
| Model | Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TALENTO | 2017 | Diesel | 66.2% (-15.9% vs same-age) | 618 |
| DOBLO | 2020 | Diesel | 72.2% | 615 |
| DOBLO | 2017 | Diesel | 66.7% (-15.4% vs same-age) | 2,237 |
| FIORINO | 2014 | Diesel | 57.4% (-17.3% vs same-age) | 1,033 |
| FIORINO | 2015 | Diesel | 61.2% (-16.0% vs same-age) | 817 |
| DOBLO | 2019 | Diesel | 72.0% | 1,357 |
| DOBLO | 2015 | Diesel | 61.7% (-15.6% vs same-age) | 4,350 |
| FIORINO | 2016 | Diesel | 65.0% (-15.2% vs same-age) | 505 |
| DOBLO | 2018 | Diesel | 70.6% | 1,688 |
| DOBLO | 2016 | Diesel | 65.7% | 3,297 |
Pattern to avoid
Early 2015-2020 diesel DOBLOs, 2014-2016 diesel FIORINOs are the models that drag down Fiat's average. The SCUDO 2011 performs 12% worse than the average car of the same age at 11-12 years - this is proven poor durability. These vehicles fail MOTs more often than they pass.
What Goes Wrong on Fiats?
When Fiats fail MOTs, these are the most common causes:
| Failure Category | Total Failures |
|---|---|
| 1. Suspension | 95,642 |
| 2. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 90,843 |
| 3. Brakes | 53,293 |
| 4. Tyres | 46,837 |
| 5. Visibility | 41,671 |
| 6. Body, chassis, structure | 32,447 |
| 7. Noise, emissions and leaks | 28,705 |
Pre-MOT checklist for Fiat owners:
- Inspect suspension bushes and anti-roll bar links
- Check all bulbs (number plate lights are commonly missed)
- Check brake pad thickness and disc condition
- Ensure tyres meet 1.6mm tread requirement
- 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
- Limited data for recent models
Note: Long-term durability not yet proven for these newer models
Best If Buying Used (Proven)
11+ years of proven durability data
- DUCATO 2001-2012: +14% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
Fiat Models to Avoid (Proven Poor)
Proven below average at 11+ years - not just old, genuinely problematic
- SCUDO 2005-2011: -11% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average durability at 11-12 years)
- BRAVO 2008-2008: -10% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average durability at 13+ years)
- PUNTO EVO 2011: -9% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average durability at 11-12 years)
- DOBLO 2004-2011: -8% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average durability at 11-12 years)
About This Data
This analysis uses real MOT test results from the DVSA database, covering 780,941 tests on Fiat 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).
Check Any Vehicle's MOT History
Get the full MOT history, mileage records, and reliability insights for any UK vehicle. Make an informed decision before you buy.
Run a Free Check