2002 Fiat Seicento — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,981 MOT tests analysed for the 2002 Fiat Seicento, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension. Its pass rate of 68.5% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 35.3% in the 120-150k group versus 21.0% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 18.3% | 544 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 15.9% | 475 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.6% | 316 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.4% | 281 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.4% | 251 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.9% | 147 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 355 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 335 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 229 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 207 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 169 |
| 6 | Service brake imbalance | 156 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 33.8% | 1,006 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.9% | 950 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.3% | 634 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.2% | 632 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 19.0% | 566 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 8.9% | 266 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 338 | 21.0% |
| 30-60k | 1,258 | 30.4% |
| 60-90k | 1,031 | 35.4% |
| 90-120k | 285 | 33.3% |
| 120-150k | 51 | 35.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 911 | 32.5% |
| 2022 | 728 | 32.7% |
| 2023 | 557 | 30.5% |
| 2024 | 439 | 29.2% |
| 2025 | 346 | 30.9% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Seicento
Before buying a 2002 Fiat Seicento, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Brakes accounted for 18.3% of tests for this year.
- Brakes (18.3% 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 (15.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.6% 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 2002 Fiat Seicentos pass their MOT?
68.5% of the 2,981 2002 Fiat Seicento MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Fiat Seicento?
Brakes, recorded in 18.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (15.9%).
Does the 2002 Seicento get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.0% in the 0-30k band to 35.3% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,981 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.