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Fiat 500l car check

Find out if a 500l 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
£5,45362 at dealers
MOT failure rate
23%51k tests
Known problems
5across 330
Full report
£7.49one-off, no subscription

Which 500l are you looking at?

Each 500l generation has its own weak spots. Here are the known problems.

  1. Fuel system leak risk

    Safety risk 330

    The 1.2 MultiJet diesel variant shows fuel system leaks at 70.7 times the national fleet average, specifically in the 40,000-60,000 mile range. MOT testers classify these as 'fuel system leaking excessively or a risk of fire', indicating significant fuel leakage rather than minor seepage. The MultiJet high-pressure fuel system operates at extreme pressures, and component failure can result in diesel fuel spraying onto hot engine components.

    What to check: Open the bonnet and visually inspect around the engine bay for any wet patches, staining, or strong diesel smell. Pay particular attention to the area around the fuel rail and high-pressure fuel lines. Look underneath the car for diesel pooling or wet patches on the ground where the car has been ...

  2. Suspension component joint likely to detach

    Safety risk 330

    MOT data shows suspension pins, bushes, or joints reaching the point of likely detachment at 70.7 times the fleet average, peaking on 1.6 diesel variants at 60,000-80,000 miles. This defect category indicates suspension components that have degraded beyond safe limits and pose an imminent risk of complete separation. The trend is improving, suggesting either component redesign or owners becoming more proactive with maintenance.

    What to check: With the car on level ground, grab each front wheel at 3 and 9 o'clock positions and attempt to rock it. Excessive movement or knocking sounds indicate worn ball joints or wheel bearings. Visually inspect visible suspension arms and links for obvious cracking, corrosion, or separated rubber boots...

  3. Engine mounting severe deterioration

    Wear item 330

    MOT testers classify this as 'severely damaged or deteriorated resulting in excessive movement', indicating mounts that have failed beyond acceptable limits. Diesel engines generate more vibration and torque than petrol equivalents, accelerating mount degradation.

    What to check: With the bonnet open, visually inspect visible engine mounts for cracked rubber, oil contamination, or obvious separation between metal and rubber components. Look for signs that the engine has moved excessively - misaligned hoses, stretched cables, or contact marks where components have touched.

  4. Steering rack gaiter damage and contamination

    Wear item 330

    MOT data shows steering rack gaiter failures at rates up to 70.7 times the national average, with the trend worsening. Damaged or missing gaiters allow dirt and water to contaminate the steering rack mechanism, leading to accelerated wear of the precision-machined steering components. The 500L shows this problem across all engine variants from relatively low mileages.

    What to check: With the wheels straight, inspect both steering rack gaiters (rubber boots at each end of the steering rack behind the front wheels). Look for splits, tears, or completely missing sections. Check for grease contamination around the gaiter area which indicates the protective grease has been forced...

  5. Parking brake efficiency deterioration

    Safety and MOT risk 330

    The 500L fails MOT parking brake efficiency tests at 70.7 times the national fleet average, with the trend worsening across all engine variants. Peak failure rate occurs on 1.6 diesel variants at 20,000-40,000 miles, unusually early for parking brake components. This suggests either inadequate specification for vehicle weight or poor adjustment maintenance.

    What to check: Apply the handbrake firmly and count the number of clicks. More than 8-10 clicks typically indicates excessive adjustment slack. With the handbrake applied, try to push the car on level ground - it should hold firmly without any movement. Check the handbrake lever for excessive travel or a spongy...

What 500ls cost at dealers now

From 62 used 500ls we track on UK dealer websites.

Typical asking price
£5,453
Typical mileage
62,150 miles
Price change vs last month
-15%

500l MOT results

23%

of 500l MOT tests end in a fail, from 51,169 tests.

Most common reasons for failing

  1. Seat mounting faultSeatbelts & Airbags
  2. Fuel system leaking or a risk of fireBodywork
  3. Steering rack wearSteering

Check the 500l 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

500l questions

Is the Fiat 500l reliable?

23% of 500l models fail their MOT based on 51,169 tests analysed. That’s about average for the class. There are 5 known problems to watch for, the most serious being fuel system leak risk. 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 500l?

The most serious known issues are fuel system leak risk, suspension component joint likely to detach, engine mounting severe deterioration. Our car check flags whether a specific 500l has been written off or had insurance claims linked to these faults.

How do I check if a Fiat 500l 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 500l 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 500l 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 500l 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 500l 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 500l 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 500l fail its MOT on?

The most common MOT failure on the 500l is seat mounting fault. 23% of 500l models fail overall, based on 51,169 tests. Checking a car’s full MOT history before buying shows you recurring problems the seller might not mention.

More on the 500l

Other Fiat car checks

Fiat 12411.7% MOT failure rate Fiat 50023% MOT failure rate Fiat 500c22.7% MOT failure rate Fiat 500x17% MOT failure rate Fiat Barchetta23.1% MOT failure rate Fiat Bravo29.7% 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.