Home/Car check/Abarth/595

Abarth 595 car check

Find out if a Abarth 595 has outstanding finance, has been written off or stolen, how many owners it’s had, and which known problems apply to the generation you’re looking at.

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. Results in under a minute.

Typical price
£10,856227 at dealers
MOT failure rate
16.5%34k tests
Known problems
5across 595
Full report
£7.49one-off, no subscription

Which 595 are you looking at?

Each 595 generation has its own weak spots. Here are the known problems.

  1. Front suspension bush and joint wear

    Wear item 595

    The Abarth 595 uses firmer suspension bushes than the standard Fiat 500 to handle increased performance, but these wear prematurely under performance driving conditions. MOT data shows suspension pin, bush and joint failures at 18.8 times the fleet average, with over 6,000 recorded failures. The issue peaks at 20-40k miles, suggesting the performance bushes are not suited to UK road conditions. Front lower arm bushes and anti-roll bar links are most commonly affected.

    What to check: Jack up the front of the car and grab each front wheel at 3 and 9 o'clock positions. Rock the wheel side to side to check for excessive play in wheel bearings or suspension joints. Grab the wheel at 12 and 6 o'clock and rock up and down to check ball joint wear. Visually inspect front lower arm b...

  2. Front shock absorber bush wear

    Wear item 595

    The Abarth 595 shock absorber top mounts use performance-oriented bushes that wear significantly faster than standard Fiat 500 components. MOT data shows failures at 16.3 times the fleet average with nearly 5,000 recorded failures. The firmer bushes transmit more road shock to improve handling response but deteriorate rapidly, particularly the rubber-to-metal bonding. This is a separate issue from the general suspension bush wear affecting lower arms and links.

    What to check: Open the bonnet and visually inspect the shock absorber top mounts visible in the engine bay. Look for obvious separation of rubber from metal, cracking, or distortion of the mounting bush. Press down firmly on each front corner of the car and release - listen for any knocking or rattling as the ...

  3. Front wheel bearing failure

    Wear item 595

    The Abarth 595 front wheel bearings fail at 6.7 times the national fleet average according to MOT data, with over 1,000 recorded failures. The increased performance and wider tyres fitted to Abarth models place additional stress on the wheel bearing assemblies compared to standard Fiat 500s. Failure typically occurs between 40-80k miles and presents as roughness, play, or grinding noise from the affected wheel. The bearings are sealed units requiring complete hub replacement.

    What to check: Jack up the front of the car and spin each wheel by hand - listen for grinding, rumbling, or rough rotation that indicates bearing wear. Grab the wheel at 12 and 6 o'clock and try to rock it vertically - any movement indicates bearing play. Grab at 3 and 9 o'clock and rock horizontally to disting...

  4. Turbocharger failure

    Engine damage risk 595

    The 1.4 T-Jet turbocharger in the Abarth 595 is known for premature failure, particularly the wastegate actuator and oil seal deterioration. The small turbocharger operates at high boost levels and temperatures in performance applications, leading to accelerated wear of internal components. Failure symptoms include loss of power, excessive oil consumption, blue smoke from the exhaust, and turbo whine or grinding noises. The issue is widely documented on Abarth owner forums and specialist workshops.

    What to check: Pull the dipstick and check oil level - turbocharged engines consume oil rapidly when turbo seals fail. Look for excessive oil consumption history in service records. Remove the air intake pipe after the air filter and inspect for oil residue inside the pipe, which indicates turbo oil seal failur...

  5. Excessive exhaust noise levels

    Wear item 595

    The Abarth 595 uses a performance exhaust system with larger bore pipes and a sport silencer that operates close to UK legal noise limits. The exhaust can exceed permitted noise levels due to internal baffle deterioration, loose heat shields, or aftermarket modifications. MOT data shows this model fails noise testing at 43.3 times the national fleet average, particularly on younger cars. Many failures occur on vehicles with aftermarket exhaust systems that have not been properly type-approved for UK road use.

    What to check: Visually inspect the entire exhaust system from underneath for obvious damage, missing heat shields, or aftermarket components that look different from factory specification. Check for any loose clamps or joints that could cause rattling. Look for soot deposits around joints indicating gas leaks....

What 595s cost at dealers now

From 227 used 595s we track on UK dealer websites.

Typical asking price
£10,856
Typical mileage
40,627 miles
Price change vs last month
-3.1%

595 MOT results

16.5%

of 595 MOT tests end in a fail, from 33,874 tests.

Most common reasons for failing

  1. Exhaust system damageBodywork
  2. Emissions failureExhaust & Emissions
  3. Body panel damageBodywork

Check the 595 you’re buying

One report covers outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and previous owners from Experian, plus MOT history, mileage and the known problems for its generation.

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian.

What the check includes

595 questions

Is the Abarth 595 reliable?

16.5% of 595 models fail their MOT based on 33,874 tests analysed. That’s about average for the class. There are 5 known problems to watch for, the most serious being front suspension bush and joint wear. A full history check shows whether a specific car has had related write-offs or insurance claims.

What are the main problems with a Abarth 595?

The most serious known issues are front suspension bush and joint wear, front shock absorber bush wear, front wheel bearing failure. Our car check flags whether a specific 595 has been written off or had insurance claims linked to these faults.

How do I check if a Abarth 595 has outstanding finance?

Enter the registration on this page. We query Experian’s finance database and return any outstanding agreements within a minute. If finance is still owed, the finance company can legally repossess the car even after you’ve paid the seller. At £7.49 it’s the cheapest way to avoid a car that isn’t legally for sale.

How do I check if a Abarth 595 has been written off?

Our check queries Experian’s insurance write-off database for Cat A, B, S and N markers. A Cat S or N 595 has been structurally or non-structurally damaged and repaired. This doesn’t mean it’s unsafe, but it affects resale value and some insurers won’t cover it. The check costs £7.49.

Can I check a Abarth 595 for free?

You can check MOT history free on GOV.UK, which shows past test results and advisories. What it won’t show is outstanding finance, write-offs or theft markers, which are the things that actually cost you money after you’ve bought. Our full check adds all of that for £7.49, using Experian data.

Is a Abarth 595 HPI check worth it?

HPI is one brand of car check. Our check uses the same Experian data covering finance, stolen, write-off and keeper history, plus MOT analysis and known 595 faults that HPI doesn’t include. At £7.49 it’s typically less than half the price of an HPI check.

What does a Abarth 595 fail its MOT on?

The most common MOT failure on the 595 is exhaust system damage. 16.5% of 595 models fail overall, based on 33,874 tests. Checking a car’s full MOT history before buying shows you recurring problems the seller might not mention.

More on the 595

Other Abarth car checks

Abarth 50023.4% MOT failure rate Abarth 595c14% MOT failure rate

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. MOT data from DVSA. Known problems from GetCarWise analysis. Updated October 2026.