Fiat 500 car check
Find out if a Fiat 500 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
- £8,4903,169 at dealers
- MOT failure rate
- 23%968k tests
- Known problems
- 10across Cinquecento to 312
- Full report
- £7.49one-off, no subscription
Which 500 are you looking at?
Each 500 generation has its own weak spots. Pick the one you’re viewing to see what to check.
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Subframe mounting point corrosion
Safety and MOT risk 312The load-bearing structure around suspension mounting points corrodes prematurely on the 312-generation 500, affecting areas within 30cm of spring and suspension attachment points. This represents a catastrophic safety defect where the suspension can detach from the body during driving. The issue affects all engine variants and appears as early as 20,000 miles.
What to check: Inspect the underside structure around front suspension strut mounting points in the engine bay - look for brown rust staining, flaking metal, or visible holes through the metal around the mounting towers. Check rear spring mounting points underneath for similar corrosion patterns. Look for rust ...
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MultiAir actuator failure
Engine damage risk 312The MultiAir electro-hydraulic actuator controls inlet valve timing and lift on TwinAir engines. The actuator solenoid valve fails, causing loss of variable valve timing control, rough running, and significant power loss. This is a well-documented weakness on TwinAir engines that requires actuator replacement. The system cannot be repaired - only replaced as a complete unit. Early engines are more susceptible than later production.
What to check: Check service history for any previous MultiAir-related work or error codes mentioning P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019 (cam/crank correlation errors). Ask the seller about any recent rough running or loss of power issues that were intermittent initially. Look for evidence of recent engine management l...
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DPF blockage and regeneration issues
Wear item 312The diesel particulate filter blocks on MultiJet engines used primarily for city driving. The DPF requires regular high-temperature regeneration cycles that only occur during sustained motorway driving. Cars used predominantly in urban areas cannot complete natural regeneration, leading to DPF saturation and eventual failure. This is the most common fault on diesel 500s and affects all MultiJet variants. Later engines have improved regeneration strategies but remain susceptible to blockage.
What to check: Check the instrument cluster for any DPF warning symbols or messages - this may be a specific DPF icon or a general engine management light. Ask about the car's typical usage pattern - purely urban driving without regular motorway use makes DPF problems almost inevitable. Request service history ...
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Timing belt service requirement
Engine damage risk 312FIRE 1.2 and T-Jet 1.4 engines use interference timing belts that must be replaced at 72,000 miles or 5 years. If the belt snaps, the pistons contact the valves, destroying the cylinder head and requiring engine rebuild. This is a critical maintenance item that cannot be deferred. Water pump, tensioner, and auxiliary belt should be replaced simultaneously. TwinAir engines use timing chains and are not affected by this requirement.
What to check: Check service history for timing belt replacement evidence - look for invoices showing belt, tensioner, water pump, and auxiliary belt replacement together. Calculate mileage and age since last replacement - belt is due at 72k miles or 5 years, whichever comes first. Request to see the old belt i...
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Front suspension pin wear
Wear item 312Suspension pins, bushes, and joints wear at exceptionally high rates on the 312-generation 500. The issue affects drop link pins, control arm bushes, and anti-roll bar connections. This represents the most statistically significant fault on this model and appears even on low-mileage examples.
What to check: Inspect drop link connections at both ends - look for movement or play when pushing the links by hand. Check control arm bushes for splits, cracks, or visible perishing of the rubber. Look under the car for any obviously hanging or disconnected suspension components. Check for uneven tyre wear pa...
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Suspension component corrosion
Wear item 312Suspension components suffer excessive corrosion damage on the 312-generation 500, with MOT data showing 69.4x higher failure rates than the fleet average for corroded suspension parts. The issue affects springs, shock absorber mountings, and structural components around suspension attachment points. Over 56,000 MOT failures have been recorded for this specific defect, making it the second most significant structural problem on this model.
What to check: Inspect coil springs for surface rust, pitting, or visible metal loss - particularly check the bottom coils that sit closest to road salt and debris. Check shock absorber mounting points and brackets for rust scaling, flaking paint, or brown staining indicating active corrosion. Look at anti-roll...
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Turbo failure
Engine damage risk 312Turbocharger failure affects both T-Jet 1.4 and TwinAir 0.9 engines, with bearing wear, actuator problems, and boost leak issues commonly reported. The small turbo units operate at high speeds and temperatures, making them susceptible to oil-related failures and actuator mechanism wear. Symptoms include loss of boost pressure, excessive smoke from exhaust, and reduced power output. This issue has been documented by Fiat specialists and represents a significant repair cost.
What to check: Check oil level and condition - low oil or contaminated oil accelerates turbo bearing wear. Look for metal particles in the oil which indicate bearing damage. Inspect around the turbo unit (visible from engine bay) for oil leaks or carbon deposits indicating seal failure. Check intercooler pipes ...
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Clutch wear
Wear item 312Manual transmission clutches wear prematurely on 1.2 FIRE and 0.9 TwinAir engines, particularly on cars used predominantly in city driving conditions. The combination of frequent stop-start driving, hill starts, and the torque characteristics of these engines accelerates clutch plate wear. Dual-mass flywheel failure is also documented on these variants, requiring complete clutch system replacement rather than clutch plate renewal alone.
What to check: Check clutch pedal feel - a spongy or inconsistent pedal may indicate hydraulic problems or advanced wear. Ask about the car's typical usage - city driving with frequent hill starts accelerates clutch wear significantly. Request service history showing any previous clutch work or hydraulic system...
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Oil consumption
Engine damage risk 312TwinAir engines consume oil by design due to their unique two-cylinder architecture and high specific output. Oil consumption of 1 litre per 1,000 miles is considered normal by Fiat, though this seems excessive to owners familiar with conventional engines. The consumption occurs through designed tolerances in the piston rings and valve guides rather than through leaks. This is a characteristic of the engine design, not a fault, but requires regular monitoring and top-up.
What to check: Check oil level on dipstick - oil level should be between minimum and maximum marks. Note how much oil has been consumed since last service if mileage data is available. Examine oil filler cap and dipstick for black carbon deposits which indicate normal combustion blow-by on these engines. Ask ow...
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Boost leaks
Engine damage risk 312Turbo boost system develops leaks in intercooler pipes, joints, and connections on T-Jet and TwinAir engines. The plastic intercooler pipes become brittle with age and heat cycling, causing splits or separation at connection points. Boost leaks reduce power output and cause characteristic hissing sounds during acceleration. This is a maintenance issue rather than a design fault, commonly affecting cars beyond 50,000 miles.
What to check: Visually inspect intercooler pipes between turbo and inlet manifold for obvious splits, cracks, or loose connections. The pipes are typically black plastic or rubber with jubilee clip connections. Check for oil residue around connection points which indicates boost pressure leakage. Examine pipe ...
We haven’t flagged any common problems for this generation in our data yet. A history check still tells you about finance, write-offs and theft, and the MOT history shows how this particular car has been looked after.
What 500s cost at dealers now
From 3,169 used 500s we track on UK dealer websites.
- Typical asking price
- £8,490
- Typical mileage
- 35,258 miles
- Price change vs last month
- -1.7%
500 MOT results
of 500 MOT tests end in a fail, from 967,723 tests.
Most common reasons for failing
- Brake pipes corrodedBrakes
- Suspension component damaged or corrodedSuspension
- Body panel damageBodywork
Check the 500 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
- Outstanding finance Experian
- Write-off status Experian
- Stolen vehicle check Experian
- Previous owners and keeper history Experian
- MOT history and advisories DVSA
- Mileage check DVSA
- Known problems for its generation GetCarWise
- How many are left on the road DVLA
500 questions
Is the Fiat 500 reliable?
23% of 500 models fail their MOT based on 967,723 tests analysed. That’s about average for the class. There are 10 known problems to watch for, the most serious being subframe mounting point corrosion. A full history check shows whether a specific car has had related write-offs or insurance claims.
What are the main problems with a Fiat 500?
The most serious known issues are subframe mounting point corrosion, multiair actuator failure, dpf blockage and regeneration issues. Problems vary by generation, so check which apply to the year you’re looking at. Our car check flags whether a specific 500 has been written off or had insurance claims linked to these faults.
How do I check if a Fiat 500 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 Fiat 500 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 500 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 Fiat 500 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 Fiat 500 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 500 faults that HPI doesn’t include. At £7.49 it’s typically less than half the price of an HPI check.
What does a Fiat 500 fail its MOT on?
The most common MOT failure on the 500 is brake pipes corroded. 23% of 500 models fail overall, based on 967,723 tests. Checking a car’s full MOT history before buying shows you recurring problems the seller might not mention.
More on the 500
Other Fiat car checks
Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. MOT data from DVSA. Known problems from GetCarWise analysis. Updated October 2026.