Abarth 500
Registered from 2009 to 2026.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2010 1.4 petrol. 259 of 1,170 tests failed, 22%.
Better than 60% of 2010 cars. The typical one fails 24%, across 955 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 47% | 123 |
| Lights and electrics | 37% | 96 |
| Body and structure | 25% | 65 |
| Brakes | 25% | 64 |
| Tyres and wheels | 24% | 63 |
| Exhaust and emissions | 16% | 42 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Suspension — 47% of its failures
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- Brakes — 25% of its failures
- Tyres and wheels — 24% of its failures
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Exhaust and emissions — 16% of its failures
- Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
- Lights and electrics — 37% of its failures
- A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
- Body and structure — 25% of its failures
When it starts failing
At 120–140k miles this one fails 25% of its inspections, against the 28% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20–40k miles | 13% | 15% | 92 | |
| 40–60k miles | 20% | 19% | 215 | |
| 60–80k miles | 23% | 22% | 325 | |
| 80–100k miles | 26% | 25% | 283 | |
| 100–120k miles | 25% | 27% | 165 | |
| 120–140k miles | 25% | 28% | 51 |
1,131 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 60k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 1.4 petrol · 152 hp · 1131 kg · 2300 mm wheelbase · 6.1 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2014 | 1.4 petrol · 148 hp · 1131 kg · 2302 mm wheelbase · 6.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2013 | 1.4 petrol · 152 hp · 1135 kg · 2300 mm wheelbase · 6.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2012 | 1.4 petrol · 145 hp · 1131 kg · 2300 mm wheelbase · 6.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2011 | 1.4 petrol · 136 hp · 1128 kg · 2300 mm wheelbase · 6.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2010 | 1.4 petrol · 1126 kg · 2300 mm wheelbase · 6.5 L/100km (NEDC) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/00829/22
The locking nut of the steering gear rod may be insufficiently tightened. This may lead to steering loss, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/03461/24
Due to a manufacturing error, a clamp/nut on the negative pole inside the battery may not be securely tightened, leading it to move and create electrical arcs, voltage spikes or temperature increases. This can cause damage to battery and cables, melt the insulation and create a risk of fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
SR/02288/26
Software inconsistency may prevent certain warning lights and mandatory indications from being correctly displayed on the dashboard. As a result, the driver may not be informed of vehicle malfunctions or safety-related situations, which could increase the risk of an accident or lead to overheating of electrical circuits. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users