2016 Fiat 500L MOT pass rate: 75.5% (4,813 tests)
Is the 2016 500L getting worse?
Pass rate of 2016-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 80.0% -3.2 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 74.0% -7.2 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 72.3% -7.2 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2016 500L
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 501 | 20.5% |
| 2 | Tyres | 415 | 17.0% |
| 3 | Brakes | 386 | 15.8% |
| 4 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 341 | 14.0% |
| 5 | Steering | 321 | 13.2% |
| 6 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 174 | 7.1% |
All 500L years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 12,272 | 67.7% | -5.6 pts | 75,716 |
| 2014 | 20,127 | 69.1% | -6.7 pts | 73,298 |
| 2015 | 8,806 | 72.0% | -6.7 pts | 60,034 |
| 2016 (this page) | 4,813 | 75.5% | -5.8 pts | 50,190 |
| 2017 | 2,604 | 74.2% | -9.9 pts | 43,630 |
| 2018 | 1,776 | 76.5% | -9.9 pts | 34,007 |
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
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- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2016 Fiat 500L reliable?
2016-registered examples passed 75.5% of their MOT tests (4,813 tests, 2023–2025), -5.8 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 10 years old with a median 50,190 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2016 500L?
The median tested example shows 50,190 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2016 500L?
In this cohort petrols pass 77.6% of tests against 74.3% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.