Fiat 500
Registered from 2007 to 2024.
About this model
The Fiat 500 is an A-segment city car manufactured and marketed by the Italian car maker Fiat, a subdivision of Stellantis, since 2007. It is available in hatchback coupé and fixed-profile convertible body styles, over a single generation, with an intermediate facelift in Europe in the 2016 model year. Developed during FIAT's tenure as a subdivision of FCA, the 500 was internally designated as the Type 312.
From the Wikipedia article Fiat 500 (2007), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2014 1.2 petrol. 9,748 of 45,276 tests failed, 22%.
Better than 25% of 2014 cars. The typical one fails 17%, across 870 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 57% | 5,510 |
| Tyres and wheels | 23% | 2,283 |
| Brakes | 23% | 2,216 |
| Lights and electrics | 22% | 2,144 |
| Visibility | 12% | 1,145 |
| Body and structure | 11% | 1,107 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- A shock absorber bush excessively worn
- A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- A tyre seriously damaged
Where it stands out against its peers
- Suspension: failed more often than 93% of 2014 cars — 57% of its 9,748 failed tests, where an ordinary 2014 car has 30%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Suspension — 57% of its failures
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- A shock absorber bush excessively worn
- A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage
- Tyres and wheels — 23% of its failures
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Brakes — 23% of its failures
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Lights and electrics — 22% of its failures
- Visibility — 12% of its failures
- Body and structure — 11% of its failures
When it starts failing
At 140–160k miles this one fails 31% of its inspections, against the 23% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–20k miles | 10% | 7% | 1,528 | |
| 20–40k miles | 16% | 11% | 10,615 | |
| 40–60k miles | 22% | 15% | 17,999 | |
| 60–80k miles | 25% | 19% | 10,654 | |
| 80–100k miles | 27% | 21% | 3,216 | |
| 100–120k miles | 29% | 23% | 739 | |
| 120–140k miles | 29% | 23% | 134 | |
| 140–160k miles | 31% | 23% | 32 |
44,917 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 40k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 1.0 petrol · 68 hp · 1056 kg · 2300 mm wheelbase · 5.0 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 1.2 petrol · 68 hp · 1050 kg · 2300 mm wheelbase · 5.7 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 1.2 petrol · 68 hp · 1044 kg · 2300 mm wheelbase · 5.8 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 1.2 petrol · 68 hp · 988 kg · 2300 mm wheelbase · 5.9 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2017 | 1.2 petrol · 68 hp · 973 kg · 2300 mm wheelbase · 4.8 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 1.2 petrol · 68 hp · 962 kg · 2300 mm wheelbase · 4.7 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2015 | 1.2 petrol · 68 hp · 967 kg · 2300 mm wheelbase · 4.8 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2014 | 1.2 petrol · 68 hp · 968 kg · 2301 mm wheelbase · 4.9 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2013 | 1.2 petrol · 68 hp · 958 kg · 2300 mm wheelbase · 4.9 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2012 | 1.2 petrol · 66 hp · 965 kg · 2302 mm wheelbase · 4.8 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2011 | 1.2 petrol · 68 hp · 969 kg · 2289 mm wheelbase · 4.8 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2010 | 1.2 petrol · 996 kg · 2300 mm wheelbase · 4.7 L/100km (NEDC) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/01319/21
Due to defective materials, the axle shafts could break.This could lead to driving power being lost without warning, increasing the risk of an accident.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/02568/23
A ball joint of a front wheel could become detached, which can lead to loss of vehicle control, creating a risk of an accident. 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
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