Used car guide

1999 Fiat Seicento: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Fiat Seicento first registered in 1999: we looked at the 310 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 310 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

310MOTs of 1999 cars, done in 2023–2025
58%pass first time (all 1999 cars: 63%)
2,200typical miles a year
2.6×the usual rate for braking performance

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1999 Fiat Seicento?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1999 Fiat Seicento than on all cars registered in 1999.

  • Braking performance2.6× usual
    Fiat Seicento
    19% All 1999 cars
    7.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11.6%, against 3.5% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

Common 1999 Fiat Seicento MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1999 Fiat Seicento MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    41% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    37% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    29% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    26% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Tyres
    23% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    20% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1999 Fiat Seicento

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 1999 Fiat Seicento as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Fiat Seicento?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Fiat Seicento compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20031,293Brakes 46%
20021,058Brakes 43%
2001827Brakes 43%
2000514Brakes 44%
1998102Brakes 33%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Fiat Seicento cars first registered in 1999. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score