Fiat 500X

What fails its inspection

Great Britain's MOT record for the 2016 1.6 diesel. 941 of 5,277 tests failed, 18%.

Better than 19% of 2016 cars. The typical one fails 13%, across 899 models with enough tests behind them to say.

The defects inspectors cite

• Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction
• A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
• Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
• A tyre seriously damaged
• Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
• A tyre cords visible or damaged

Where it stands out against its peers

• Exhaust and emissions: failed more often than 91% of 2016 cars — 22% of its 941 failed tests, where an ordinary 2016 car has 8%.
• Steering: failed more often than 96% of 2016 cars — 17% of its 941 failed tests, where an ordinary 2016 car has 2%.

Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.

NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.

Before you buy one

Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.

• Tyres and wheels — 39% of its failures
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A tyre seriously damaged
  • A tyre cords visible or damaged
• Exhaust and emissions — 22% of its failures
• Suspension — 17% of its failures
  • A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
• Steering — 17% of its failures
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
• Brakes — 16% of its failures
  • A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
• Lights and electrics — 32% of its failures
  • A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

When it starts failing

At 120–140k miles this one fails 24% of its inspections, against the 19% an ordinary car of the same age fails.

5,264 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.

Half of these have more than 40k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.

Specification

Recalls

Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.

• A12/01603/23

  The pressure build-up valve (PBU) of the 48 volt battery may be defective. This could lead to a loss of battery functionality and overheating if water gets in, increasing the risk of fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

  Recall of the product from end users

• A12/03352/24

  An impact on the brake pedals can cause the pedal arm and the brake pedal lever to disengage. Moreover, the unlocking lever has a low stiffness due to variations in clamping force and friction. Both these reasons can lead the brake pedals to collapse during braking, preventing the driver from activating the service brakes. This could impair the braking performance, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

  Recall of the product from end users