Family space wrapped in Fiat 500 style
The Fiat 500L is a compact MPV that trades on the Fiat 500's design appeal but offers proper family-car space. It competes with the Citroen C3 Picasso and Nissan Note, targeting small families who like the 500's styling but have outgrown the original's tiny cabin. Despite the name, it shares almost nothing with the 500 and is built on a completely different platform.
We track 5 known issues across the Fiat 500L range, including 2 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Fiat 500L? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
330 (2012–2021) — Petrol options included the 0.9 TwinAir Turbo, 1.4 16V, with 1.2 MultiJet, 1.6 MultiJet on the diesel side. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 2 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Fuel system leak risk (£300–£800 to address).
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.
Fuel leaks present a serious fire risk, particularly when fuel contacts hot exhaust components. The vehicle should not be driven if active fuel leakage is present. Repair typically involves replacement of high-pressure fuel lines, fuel rail seals, or injector seals depending on the leak location.
Check for fuel smells around the engine bay and underneath the car. Look for staining or wetness around fuel lines and connections. Injector issues may cause rough running or misfires that are most noticeable at idle.
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.
Complete suspension component failure while driving can result in loss of control and serious accident risk. The affected wheel may become detached or steering control may be lost. Immediate professional inspection and repair is essential.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
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.
Severely deteriorated engine mounts allow excessive engine movement that can damage surrounding components, stress electrical connections, and create dangerous vibrations affecting vehicle control. Complete mount failure can result in engine contact with chassis components.
Check all auxiliary systems during the test drive — air conditioning (both hot and cold), engine mounts (excessive vibration at idle or clunking when pulling away) and all belt-driven accessories. Listen for squealing or chirping from the belt area.
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.
Contaminated steering rack components wear rapidly once dirt and moisture enter the system. Early intervention with gaiter replacement costs £100-300. If left until the rack itself is damaged, replacement costs £600-1,200 and creates potential safety risks from steering precision loss.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
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.
Inadequate parking brake performance creates risks when parking on slopes and will result in MOT failure. Adjustment is typically sufficient for early-stage problems, but component replacement may be required for advanced wear. The car may roll when parked if the handbrake cannot maintain adequate holding force.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Fiat 500L common problems page.
Based on 95k real DVSA MOT tests, the Fiat 500L fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is seat mounting fault at 17x the fleet average, followed by fuel system leaking or a risk of fire (14x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Fiat 500L MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 9k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
See the full Fiat 500L service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Fiat 500L has some well-documented weak points, including 2 safety-critical issues that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable. 2017-2020 facelift petrol models are the safest bet, as diesel engines were dropped and the interior was refreshed. Earlier cars with the dual-clutch automatic should be avoided entirely. The 1.4-litre petrol with manual gearbox is the most dependable combination.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Fiat 500L, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Fiat 500L issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.