1999 Fiat Coupe — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,176 MOT tests analysed for the 1999 Fiat Coupe, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension. Its pass rate of 74.7% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (75.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 27.7% in the 150k+ group versus 22.0% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 14.0% | 164 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.9% | 152 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.6% | 90 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.9% | 81 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.8% | 68 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.5% | 65 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 97 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 92 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 82 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 81 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 65 |
| 6 | Washers | 58 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 31.4% | 369 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.5% | 335 |
| 3 | Tyres | 17.3% | 204 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 15.4% | 181 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.8% | 174 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 11.9% | 140 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 150 | 22.0% |
| 60-90k | 356 | 24.4% |
| 90-120k | 334 | 23.1% |
| 120-150k | 239 | 30.1% |
| 150k+ | 94 | 27.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 272 | 26.5% |
| 2022 | 248 | 23.0% |
| 2023 | 232 | 25.0% |
| 2024 | 221 | 26.7% |
| 2025 | 203 | 25.1% |
What to check before buying a 1999 Coupe
Before buying a 1999 Fiat Coupe, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Brakes accounted for 14.0% of tests for this year.
- Brakes (14.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (12.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.6% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1999 Fiat Coupes pass their MOT?
74.7% of the 1,176 1999 Fiat Coupe MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Fiat Coupe?
Brakes, recorded in 14.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.9%).
Does the 1999 Coupe get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.0% in the 30-60k band to 27.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,176 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.