Generations
312 — First Generation
2008–2016
1.4L T-Jet
Top issues to watch for
The most serious Abarth 500 problems ranked by severity. We track 5 known issues — here are the ones you need to know about first.
Major
Wheel bearing premature wear (312)
The Abarth 500's wheel bearings fail at significantly higher rates than the fleet average, with MOT data showing failures up to 28.3 times higher than typical cars. The performance-oriented suspension geometry and wider tyres place increased lateral loads on the wheel bearings. Additionally, the car's enthusiast ownership often involves spirited driving and track use, accelerating bearing wear. Front bearings are more commonly affected than rears, with failure rates peaking around 40,000-60,000 miles.
What happens if ignoredA failing wheel bearing creates increasing noise and vibration, and in severe cases can cause wheel wobble or even complete bearing collapse. While gradual bearing wear allows continued driving for some time, a severely damaged bearing risks wheel separation and should be replaced immediately. Replacement costs £150-400 per wheel depending on whether it's front or rear and the availability of the bearing unit.
Independent garage
£150–£300
Specialist
£200–£400
Main dealer
£300–£600
Parts only
£80–£180
Minor
Suspension bushes and joints premature wear (312)
The Abarth 500's sport-tuned suspension uses harder bushes and more aggressive geometry than the standard Fiat 500, leading to accelerated wear of suspension joints and bushes. MOT data shows this model fails suspension bush inspections at 31.8 times the national fleet average, with failures occurring even on low-mileage examples. The car's short wheelbase and stiff setup concentrate loads on the front suspension components. Later production cars show similar failure rates, suggesting this is inherent to the design rather than early production issues.
What happens if ignoredWorn suspension bushes cause poor handling, reduced steering precision, and accelerated tyre wear. The car remains safe to drive but handling becomes vague and unpredictable. Replacement of individual bushes costs £50-150 each, but multiple components typically need attention simultaneously, leading to bills of £300-800 for comprehensive suspension refreshing.
Independent garage
£200–£600
Specialist
£300–£800
Main dealer
£400–£1,000
Parts only
£100–£300
Minor
Shock absorber bush failure (312)
The Abarth 500's performance-oriented dampers use firmer bushes and mounting hardware than standard Fiat 500s, leading to premature failure of shock absorber bushes and top mounts. MOT data shows failures at 32.1 times the fleet average, affecting cars across all mileage ranges including very low-mileage examples. The stiff suspension setup and short-travel dampers put higher loads on the mounting points. This issue affects both front strut top mounts and rear damper bushes.
What happens if ignoredFailed shock absorber bushes cause harsh ride quality, poor noise isolation, and reduced damping effectiveness. The suspension becomes crashy over bumps and road noise increases noticeably. While not immediately dangerous, handling precision suffers and tyre wear may increase. Replacement typically costs £150-400 depending on whether front struts or rear dampers are affected.
Independent garage
£150–£400
Specialist
£200–£500
Main dealer
£300–£700
Parts only
£80–£200
Minor
Front spring premature failure (312)
The Abarth 500 uses significantly stiffer front springs than the standard Fiat 500 to control body roll and improve handling response. MOT data shows spring failures at 15.4 times the fleet average across all mileage bands, with some failures occurring on very low-mileage cars. The shorter, stiffer springs operate under higher stress loads and are more susceptible to fatigue cracking. Spring failures typically manifest as fractured coils or separated spring ends, causing the car to sit low on one corner.
What happens if ignoredA broken spring causes the car to sit low on the affected corner, compromises handling safety, and can damage the tyre or other suspension components if driven. The car should not be driven with a known broken spring as it affects braking stability and cornering safety. Spring replacement typically costs £100-200 per side, but specialists recommend replacing both front springs together to maintain handling balance.
Independent garage
£150–£300
Specialist
£200–£400
Main dealer
£300–£600
Parts only
£60–£150
1 more known issues tracked
Including wear items, electrical niggles, and generation-specific problems.
MOT failure hotspots
Based on DVSA MOT test data. These are the items where the Abarth 500 fails at a significantly higher rate than the average car.
Cable, rod or joint insecure
Brakes · 100-120k miles
MOT failure rate: 74x the fleet average
Sample: 1,087 tests
Suspension component damaged or corroded
Suspension · 20-40k miles
MOT failure rate: 40x the fleet average
Sample: 2,730 tests
ABS fault
Suspension · 0-20k miles
MOT failure rate: 32x the fleet average
Sample: 1,687 tests
Suspension pin, bush or joint worn
Suspension · 0-20k miles
MOT failure rate: 32x the fleet average
Sample: 1,687 tests
Suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing worn
Suspension · 20-40k miles
MOT failure rate: 32x the fleet average
Sample: 4,087 tests
Exhaust system damage
Bodywork · 20-40k miles
MOT failure rate: 31x the fleet average
Sample: 5,517 tests
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Related
Abarth 500 reliability FAQs
What are the most common problems with the Abarth 500?
The Abarth 500 has 5 known issues across 2 severity levels. The most common problems relate to Wheel bearing premature wear (312).
Is the Abarth 500 reliable?
The Abarth 500 has 0 dangerous and 1 major known issues. No dangerous issues are tracked, which is a positive sign.
How much does it cost to fix Abarth 500 problems?
Repair costs range widely. The most significant issue (Wheel bearing premature wear (312)) costs £150–£300 at an independent garage. Minor issues can be under £200. Always get a full inspection before buying.