Model reliability

Fiat Tipo reliability

The Fiat Tipo fails its MOT more often than most cars 6 to 10 years old: 28.5% of 7,399 tests failed in 2023, against 24.4% on average.

Up to 5 years old

20.2% failed their MOT

Worse than most

From 4,717 MOT tests of Fiat Tipos this age.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 3× as oftenWipers5.5% vs 2.1%

Fails 44% more oftenMechanical brake components2.6% vs 1.8%

Fails 44% more oftenTyre tread depth2.3% vs 1.6%Fix about £90

Fails 9× as oftenShock absorbers1.8% vs 0.2%Fix about £200

Advised 35% more oftenTyre tread depth19.1% vs 14.2%Fix about £90

Advised 37% more oftenMechanical brake components16.6% vs 12.1%

Advised 5× as oftenShock absorbers6% vs 1.3%Fix about £200

6 to 10 years old

28.5% failed their MOT

Worse than most

From 7,399 MOT tests of Fiat Tipos this age.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 68% more oftenMechanical brake components4.7% vs 2.8%

Fails 2× as oftenSprings4.7% vs 2.4%Fix about £150

Fails 5× as oftenShock absorbers3.9% vs 0.8%Fix about £200

Fails 52% more oftenTyre tread depth3.8% vs 2.5%Fix about £90

Advised 33% more oftenMechanical brake components22.1% vs 16.6%

Advised 4× as oftenShock absorbers12.2% vs 3%Fix about £200

Safety recalls

6 DVSA recalls for the Fiat Tipo

Most cover a batch of cars built in a set period, and dealers fix them free. Sweep’s check shows the recalls for a car’s age and whether the DVSA has one outstanding.

R/2024/18224 May 2024Built 2021–2023Incorrect tyre size data on Certificate of Conformity (CoC)

Affected vehicles may display incorrect tyre size information on the Certificate of Conformity (CoC).

Fix: The CoC must be replaced.

Recalled models: TIPO · 23 vehicles

R/2023/1686 Jul 2023Built 2023Affected vehicles may have been fitted with a faulty 48-volt battery. This may lead to a loss of the functionality of the battery. This may result in a risk of thermal run away in the case of water infiltration.

Affected vehicles may have been fitted with a faulty 48-volt battery. This may lead to a loss of the functionality of the battery. This may result in a risk of thermal run away in the case of water infiltration.

Fix: The repair is a check of the PBU valve code and replacement of the 48-volt battery if necessary.

Recalled models: TIPO · 68 vehicles

R/2021/09322 Apr 2021Built 2020–2021Fault in the air bag control module software

Due to a fault in the airbag control module software the airbag system may fail to be active without this being indicated on the instrument panel.

Fix: Carry out an update to the airbag control module and instrument panel software.

Recalled models: TIPO · 620 vehicles

R/2017/16423 Jun 2017Built 2016–2017Driver airbag may fail to deploy

The driver�s airbag was manufactured with an incorrectly manufactured airbag inflator initiator that may not ignite when a deployment voltage is provided to the initiator. As a result vehicles may experience a �non-deployment� of the driver airbag during a crash event warranting an airbag deployment which could increase the risk of injury.

Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the driver airbag unit (initiator included) with a quality assured unit.

Recalled models: TIPO · 11 vehicles

R/2016/26223 Dec 2016Built 2015–2016Steering wheel airbag may fail to deploy correctly

It has been identified that due to the non-conforming layout of the airbag wiring and missing cut-proof protection the airbag wiring may interfere with the steering wheel wiring terminal. This can cause the abrasion of the wiring itself. This abrasion may cause a short-circuit and consequent inadvertent deployment of the steering wheel airbag.

Fix: Recall all affected vehicles to inspect the airbag wiring and apply cut proof padded tape.

Recalled models: TIPO · 25 vehicles

R/1993/04519 Jul 1993Built 1988Possible failure of front spring

A specific batch of vehicles have been equipped with front suspension coil springs which may suffer from localised corrosion. This can cause breakage of the springs with an adverse effect on vehicle control.

Fix: Recall the affected vehicles and replace the original coil springs with quality assured examples.

Recalled models: TIPO · 4,594 vehicles

DVSA vehicle safety recalls (Crown copyright, Open Government Licence).

Checking a Fiat Tipo before you buy

Look at the parts above at the viewing, and read the car’s own MOT history: advisories for the same parts suggest the problem is already starting. Sweep’s free check shows every MOT, advisory and mileage reading for a registration.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2023 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Failure rates compare this model with all cars in the same age band. Fix prices are typical independent-garage estimates.

Fiat Tipo reliability

6 DVSA recalls for the Fiat Tipo

Checking a Fiat Tipo before you buy

Run this check on every listing, automatically.