Used Fiat 500 2008-present reliability

Loose trim

Although the interior has a solid feel, some owners have highlighted problems with items of trim falling off and rattles and squeaks appearing. Plus, the paintwork can mark easily, with black and bright red models appearing to be especially at risk.

Check the clutch

A large number of 500s have been used as driving instructors’ cars. Although this shouldn't be a problem if the car is well maintained, it could shorten the life of components such as the clutch. Check that there isn’t any slippage or notchiness, because this indicates abuse and the likelihood of large repair bills.

Bodywork damage

Check for any bodywork damage; a car that has to earn its keep in the cut and thrust of city traffic might have had one or two bumps in its life, so look for any scrapes to bumpers, or poor accident repairs to body panels. If the work hasn’t been carried out to Fiat’s workshop standards, this could lead to future rust problems.

Instrument cluster

The driver's instrument cluster fitted to some 500s made between 19 July and 7 October 2017 could display incorrect information, including the speed at which you're travelling. Find out if your car is affected, because it'll need to have the cluster replaced.

Driveshaft

The right-hand driveshaft might fail on cars built between 13 August and 19 December 2018, and any example that's a part of this recall should have the driveshaft replaced to prevent future issues.

Increased braking effort

A pipe connected to the brake servo might fail on examples manufactured from 1 June to 30 September 2012. You might notice that increased brake pedal pressure is required to slow the car down. Any 500 affected by this will need to have the relevant pipe replaced at a Fiat dealer.

Risk of rear brake lock-up

A problem with the rear brakes on cars built from 1 August 2008 to 31 January 2009 could mean that the rear wheels lock up in extreme circumstances. Speak to a Fiat dealer to check if your car is affected by this recall.

Interior and exterior lighting

A problem with the wiring harness fitted to 500s made between 12 September 2011 and 8 July 2014 could cause the lighting both inside and outside the vehicle to fail. Find out if your 500 is affected by this, because it'll need to have the wiring looked at to prevent this issue in the future.

Steering column

A small number of 500s made from 1 September to 31 December 2009 could have an issue with the steering column, which, in extreme circumstances, could lead to a loss of steering. Speak to a Fiat dealer for further information.

Front seatbelts

The front seatbelts installed in cars made between 1 September and 20 November 2014 might not restrain occupants correctly in a collision. Find out from your Fiat dealer if your car is affected by this, because replacements will be required if it is.

Driver's seat

The right front or driver's seat of cars built between 7 December 2015 and 31 March 2016 might not hold you in place correctly in a collision and could cause injury. Find out if your 500 is affected by this, because you'll need to take it in for repairs if it is.

Fuel leak

A fuel leak can occur in some 500s manufactured from 1 September and 31 October 2008, potentially leading to the engine cutting out. Find out from a Fiat dealer if your vehicle is affected, because it'll need to be inspected by a technician to have the necessary repair work carried out.

Reduced brake performance

A problem with the rear brake shoes fitted to some 500s constructed between 2 September and 18 October 2016 could result in longer stopping distances. If your car is affected by this recall, it'll need to have these shoes replaced to improve safety.

Airbag

Due to a software issue on examples made from 1 December 2009 and 31 August 2010, the wrong airbag could deploy in a collision. Find out if your car is affected by speaking with a Fiat dealer, because an update will need to be uploaded to your car if it hasn't been done already.

Electric power steering

The power steering system on a small number of cars built from 21-29 September 2017 could fail, and you might notice the steering being heavier at low speeds. Find out if your 500 is affected by this recall, because a new system will need to be installed to prevent future issues.

This isn't a strong suit – far from it. In the latest What Car? Reliability Survey, the 500 ranked 14th out of 15 cars in the small car class. Its overall score was a moderate 82.1%, slightly down on its usual ratings. It finished above the Audi A1 and Seat Ibiza but below nearly all of its rivals, including the Kia Picanto, Suzuki Swift and Toyota Yaris.

Fiat as a brand came 27th out of 34 manufacturers featured, another lower result than normal. It scored 88.1%. That put it above rivals like Ford, Nissan, Seat and Vauxhall, but below Citroen, Dacia, Hyundai and Kia.

Used Fiat 500 reliability: the owners' view

As part of our annual Reliability Survey, What Car? readers said the Fiat 500 enjoys rather mixed reliability, with some owners praising its dependability while others reported recurring issues.

Common problems include faulty electrics, particularly with warning lights appearing on the dashboard, and issues with the air conditioning system. Some drivers also experienced gearbox faults, leading to costly repairs.

Feedback on dealer service was varied. Several readers highlighted slow response times from Fiat dealerships, particularly when ordering parts for repairs, resulting in longer-than-expected wait times. Several owners felt the cost of repairs was higher than anticipated, especially for more serious mechanical issues. On the positive side, a few drivers praised their local dealerships for providing good customer service and fixing minor faults quickly.

Overall, while many Fiat 500 owners found their cars to be reliable, inconsistent dealership experiences and electrical issues were a source of frustration for some.