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Fiat Tipo

All generations and engines together · 12,881 MOT tests in the 2025 data · typical mileage at age 7: 64k

First-time failure at age 7
30.9%
Across 3,743 tests. The average across all tracked models is 19.5%.
Rank at age 7
222 of 239
1 = lowest failure rate among the models tracked.
Typical mileage at age 7
64k miles
Check the mileage view below; low-mileage models can look better by age than they are.

How this model wears

Fiat TipoClass average, all tracked models

Known issues

Measured

Computed from DVSA MOT results, all of Great Britain, 2025. Nothing here is opinion.

What testers flag

Share of tests where each item was recorded. The dark tick is the class average across all tracked models; bars are scaled within each group.

Faults with the car itself

The rows that judge the model rather than its keeper. 9,663 tests in this band.

A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage
Advisory
15.3%class 2.3%
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
Fail
6.7%class 1.4%
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
Advisory
5.0%class 6.6%
A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage
Fail
4.7%class 0.4%
A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
Fail
2.4%class 0.8%
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
Fail
2.1%class 0.3%
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
Advisory
1.9%class 1.9%
Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
Advisory
1.5%class 2.0%
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction
Fail
1.4%class 0.5%
Play in steering rack inner joint(s)
Advisory
1.3%class 1.1%

Wear, upkeep and luck

Tyres, pads and stone chips say more about how the car was driven and maintained than about how it was built.

Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
Advisory
35.5%class 22.9%
Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured
Advisory
18.2%class 10.1%
A tyre seriously damaged
Advisory
12.8%class 12.7%
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
Advisory
10.8%class 8.7%
Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn
Advisory
5.8%class 3.4%
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
Fail
5.2%class 2.2%
Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt
Advisory
4.2%class 2.2%
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
Fail
3.2%class 1.6%

Unconfirmed issues

Reported

Owner folklore from forums and the motoring press. Most of it never shows up in an MOT, which is why this section exists at all.

Front coil springs snapping and rear dampers weeping

Partly in the MOT data

Owners report front coil springs fracturing well inside the car's first decade, sometimes as early as 3 years old, with rear dampers starting to weep oil around the same age. The measured MOT data for this model flags suspension as the standout fault area, and this is the folklore version of it: cheap-feeling springs and shocks that give up early rather than a single dramatic failure. A snapped spring can also puncture a tyre if it lets go while driving.

Reported from around 3 years/40k miles · sources: Fiat Forum, BreakerYard common problems, Parkers owner reviews

Dual-mass flywheel rattle and early clutch wear (diesel manual)

Diesel manual only

On the 1.6 Multijet with a manual box, a rattly noise at idle that quietens when you press the clutch points to a worn dual-mass flywheel, often needing a new flywheel and clutch kit together. Owners report it turning up from as little as 25,000-35,000 miles, with some getting it replaced under warranty and others paying out. Expect roughly £800-1,600 at a garage for the combined job if it's out of warranty.

Reported 25-60k miles · sources: Fiat Forum threads, gaga.ba common faults, carchecker.pro

DPF and EGR clogging on short trips (1.6 Multijet)

Diesel only

The 1.6 Multijet diesel is prone to DPF and EGR clogging if it's mostly used for short, low-speed journeys that never let the exhaust get hot enough to regenerate. Signs are a lit engine management light, sluggish power, smoke on acceleration, and an oil level that creeps up on the dipstick from unburnt fuel washing into the sump. An EGR clean runs to roughly £130-450 and a DPF clean or replacement £450-1,300 depending on how far gone it is.

Common on urban-driven diesels · sources: gaga.ba common faults, automotivefaults.com

Uconnect infotainment freezing and reboot loops

Disputed

A chunk of owners report the 7-inch Uconnect screen sticking on the Fiat logo or cycling through reboots on its own, sometimes traced to a flat 12v battery or a bad software update, sometimes needing the whole head unit replaced. Others report no trouble at all across years of ownership, so it seems to hit a minority of cars rather than being universal. A battery disconnect or firmware reflash sometimes clears it; a replacement unit is the costly fallback.

Scattered reports across model years · sources: Fiat Forum threads (Uconnect freezing, reboot cycle)

Electric window regulator failure

Emerging

The window regulator cable can snap internally, letting the glass drop into the door, usually with a bang or a window that just stops responding. It's a simple, cheap-feeling mechanism and it turns up repeatedly in owner reports, though not acknowledged by Fiat as a design fault. One owner quoted around £175 for a regulator replacement.

Reported at various ages · sources: Parkers owner reviews, BreakerYard common problems, mycarly community

48V mild-hybrid battery overheating recall

Mild hybrid only

A safety recall covers Tipo Hybrid models built between November 2022 and May 2023: a faulty pressure valve on the 48v battery could let water in, causing overheating and a fire risk. This is a manufacturer-issued recall with a free fix, so any affected car should already have had it done, but it's worth checking the VIN against Fiat's recall record on a used Hybrid before buying. Does not apply to the petrol or diesel non-hybrid Tipo.

Vehicles built Nov 2022-May 2023 · sources: car-recalls.eu (Stellantis recall, shared with 500X/Tonale)

Viewing one? Ask this

Built from the two sections above.

Push down hard on each corner and listen for creaks or clonks as it rebounds. A knock or a slow-to-settle corner points to tired dampers or bushes, the model's known weak spot.
Get down and look at the front coil springs for a crack or a spring sitting unevenly. A fractured spring is a known failure on this model and can also damage a tyre if it lets go on the road.
On a diesel manual, sit it at idle in neutral and listen for a rattle, then dip the clutch. A rattle that quietens on the clutch points to a worn dual-mass flywheel, an expensive fix if it's out of warranty.
Check the service history on a diesel for regular motorway runs or DPF-related work. A diesel that's only done short trips is more likely to have a clogged DPF or EGR valve.
Cycle every window up and down a few times, including from the rear switches. A slow, jerky or dead window points to a failing regulator, a known repeat complaint.
Start the infotainment from cold and watch it boot fully before driving off. Sticking on the Fiat logo or restarting itself is the reported Uconnect fault.
On a Hybrid model, check the VIN against Fiat's recall list for the 48v battery recall. Cars built Nov 2022 to May 2023 should have had this safety recall done for free.

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