Item: Used Fiat 500 2008-present
Rating: 3
Author: Steve Huntingford

<p>The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/ka/hatchback/used-review/n793">Ford Ka</a> uses the same underpinnings as the&nbsp;500, but most won't consider it to be as&nbsp;desirable or stylish.&nbsp;This will be reflected in the price, however.</p>

<p>The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/up/hatchback/review/n9">Volkswagen Up</a>&nbsp;and its siblings, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/mii/hatchback/used-review/n822">Seat Mii</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/citigo/hatchback/used-review/n836">Skoda Citigo</a>, provide the best blend of practicality and style for the money, aided by the fact that you can get them with five doors. They don’t offer as many engines as the 500, though, which might put you off, unless you're prepared to spend more for newer versions of the Up.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? Newsletter here</a></strong></p>

<h3>&nbsp;</h3>

<p><strong>If you'd like to buy a used Fiat 500, or any of the other cars mentioned here, check out our&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars"><strong>Used Cars For Sale</strong></a><strong>&nbsp;pages.</strong></p>

<p><strong>Page 5 of 5</strong></p>


What is it like?

Ownership cost

Advice for buyers

Our recommendations

Alternatives

<h3><strong>Instrument cluster</strong></h3>

<p>The driver's instrument cluster fitted to some 500s made between 19 July and&nbsp;7 October 2017 could display incorrect information, including the&nbsp;speed at which you're travelling. Find out if your car is affected, because it'll need to have the cluster replaced.</p>

<h3><strong>Driveshaft</strong></h3>

<p>The right-hand driveshaft might fail on cars built between 13 August and 19 December 2018,&nbsp;and any example that's a part of this recall should have the driveshaft replaced to prevent future issues.</p>

<h3><strong>Increased braking effort</strong></h3>

<p>A&nbsp;pipe connected to the brake servo might fail on examples manufactured from 1 June&nbsp;to 30 September 2012. You might notice that increased brake pedal pressure is required to slow the car down. Any 500 affected by this will need to have the relevant pipe replaced at a Fiat dealer.</p>

<h3><strong>Risk of rear brake lock-up</strong></h3>

<p>A problem with the rear brakes on cars built from 1 August 2008 to 31 January 2009 could mean that the rear wheels lock up in extreme circumstances. Speak to a Fiat dealer to check if your car is affected by this recall.</p>

<h3><strong>Interior and exterior lighting</strong></h3>

<p>A problem with the wiring harness fitted to 500s made between 12 September 2011 and 8 July 2014 could cause the lighting both inside and outside the vehicle to fail. Find out if your 500 is affected by this, because it'll need to have the wiring looked at to prevent this issue in the future.</p>

<h3><strong>Steering column</strong></h3>

<p>A small number of 500s made from 1 September to 31 December 2009 could have an issue with the steering column, which, in extreme circumstances, could lead to a loss of steering. Speak to a Fiat dealer for further information.</p>

<h3><strong>Front seatbelts</strong></h3>

<p>The front seatbelts installed in cars made between 1 September and 20 November 2014 might not restrain occupants correctly in a collision. Find out from your Fiat dealer if your car is affected by this, because replacements will be required if it is.</p>

<h3><strong>Driver's seat</strong></h3>

<p>The right front or driver's seat of cars built between 7 December 2015 and 31 March 2016 might not hold you in place correctly in a collision and could cause injury. Find out if your 500 is affected by this, because you'll need to take it in for repairs if it is.</p>

<h3><strong>Fuel leak</strong></h3>

<p>A fuel leak can occur in some 500s manufactured from 1 September and 31 October 2008, potentially&nbsp;leading to the engine cutting out. Find out from a Fiat dealer if your vehicle is affected, because it'll need to be inspected by a technician&nbsp;to have the necessary repair work carried out.</p>

<h3><strong>Reduced brake performance</strong></h3>

<p>A problem with the rear brake shoes fitted to some 500s constructed between 2 September and 18 October 2016 could result in longer stopping distances. If your car is affected by this recall, it'll need to have these shoes replaced to improve safety.</p>

<h3><strong>Airbag</strong></h3>

<p>Due to a software issue on examples made from 1 December 2009 and 31 August 2010, the wrong airbag could&nbsp;deploy in a collision. Find out if your car is affected by speaking with a Fiat dealer, because an update will need to be uploaded to your car if it hasn't been done already.</p>

<h3><strong>Electric power steering</strong></h3>

<p>The power steering system on a small number of cars built from&nbsp;21-29 September&nbsp;2017 could fail, and you might notice the steering being heavier at low speeds. Find out if your 500 is affected by this recall, because a new system will need to be installed to prevent future issues.</p>


<p>This isn't a strong suit – far from it. In the latest <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2022-what-car-reliability-survey/n23397">What Car? Reliability Survey</a>, the 500 ranked 25th out of 28 cars in the small car class. Fiat as a brand came 30th out of 32 manufacturers featured.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Page 3 of 5</strong></p>


Hatchback

<p dir="ltr">Modern Fiats fall into two categories: the retro models and those with more functional designs.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Cars in the first camp appeal to the heart and include the 124 Spider sports car and the 500 series: a hatchback, a convertible, an SUV and two MPVs.</p>

<p dir="ltr">By contrast, the remaining models rely on their practicality and attractive pricing, with the Panda city car, Tipo hatchback and Fullback pick-up truck all prime examples.</p>

<p>Fiat can trace its roots back to the 19th century but is now part of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group, along with Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Jeep and Maserati.</p>


FIAT

<p>The Fiat 500 is&nbsp;charmingly stylish, but it does come&nbsp;at the expense of some substance</p>


Used Fiat 500 2008-present

<h3><strong>MPG</strong></h3>

<p>Diesel models are rated for 67.3mpg (72.4mpg with automatic stop/start) as recorded under the older NEDC tests.&nbsp;The 1.2&nbsp;has an official average of 55.4mpg (58.9mpg with stop/start), or 51.4mpg under the WLTP tests, and&nbsp;the 1.4-litre 46.3mpg (48.7mpg with stop/start), while the Abarths manage 43.4mpg, all under the NEDC.</p>

<p>The 0.9-litre Twinair&nbsp;is&nbsp;the economy star,&nbsp;promising&nbsp;70.6mpg or 67.3mpg, depending on power output, although this drops to 52.3mpg under the later, more realistic WLTP test. Meanwhile, the later 1.0 Hybrid version has an official WLTP figure of 53.3mpg.&nbsp;</p>

<h3><strong>CO2 emissions</strong></h3>

<p>The 1.2-litre petrol emits just 119g/km (99g/km with stop/start) of CO2, while the 1.4&nbsp;emits just&nbsp;140g/km (135g/km with stop/start) and the diesel 110g/km (104g/km with stop/start).</p>

<h3><strong>Road tax (VED)</strong></h3>

<p>Tax for the pre-April 2017&nbsp;500s shouldn't prove expensive, because the tax system was based on CO2 output, and for most models, that was quite low. Those cars registered after the tax changes of April 2017 came into force will pay VED&nbsp;at the flat annual rate. This is currently £165 per&nbsp;year.</p>

<h3><strong>Servicing and insurance</strong></h3>

<p>Insurance shouldn't be expensive, with all 500s (bar the Abarths) being in very low insurance groups. Servicing costs are in line with other models in the Fiat range and rival city cars.</p>

<p><strong>Page 2 of 5</strong></p>


The Fiat 500 is charmingly stylish, but it does come at the expense of some substance

<p>Prices for the 500 start at around £2000 for&nbsp;the highest-mileage examples from 2008 and 2009. If you can spend&nbsp;around £2500 to £3000, you'll&nbsp;have your pick of 1.2 cars that have done an average or even below-average mileage for the year.</p>

<p>The 1.4-litre engine was only on sale until 2011, when it was replaced by the turbocharged 0.9-litre Twinair. It's therefore&nbsp;quite rare on the used market and prices vary, so&nbsp;expect to have to pay between £2500 and £5000 for a 1.4&nbsp;that hasn't driven to the Moon and back.</p>

<p>Diesels are also scarce, but an example that has been looked after&nbsp;will set you back around £2500. You’ll have to spend a bit more for a 500 with the Twinair engine, with around £3000 being a good place to start.</p>

<p>Later examples from 2015-2016 will set you back between £4000 and £6000, while a good 2017 car will be £6500 or more&nbsp;and 2019-2020 cars start at £8000. Spend upwards of £10,000 on Hybrids.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The pocket rocket of the range is the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/abarth/595/hatchback/used-review/n935">Abarth&nbsp;500</a> (replaced by the 595 and 695 from 2012), which features a highly tuned version of the 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine. You’ll need at least £5000 to secure an example.</p>

<p><strong>Check the value of a used Fiat 500 with <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/valuations/">What Car? Valuations</a></strong></p>

<p><strong>Find a used Fiat 500 for sale <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/fiat/500?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=tw1%203sp">here</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>


<h3><strong>Specification</strong></h3>

<p>There have been a huge number of special editions&nbsp;released over the years&nbsp;to entice buyers, but we'll stick with the standard&nbsp;range.&nbsp;Pop&nbsp;is&nbsp;sparsely equipped, so we'd suggest finding a&nbsp;Lounge model for the additional goodies this version provides.&nbsp;</p>

<h3><strong>Engine</strong></h3>

<p>While the 1.2-litre engine is&nbsp;quite slow compared with the other units in the range, it offers excellent fuel economy and is cheap to tax. Owners of 0.9-litre Twinair cars have found it difficult to get anywhere near the claimed fuel economy figures&nbsp;and end up using a similar amount of fuel to the 1.2 anyway.</p>

<p>The 1.3-litre diesel is great for those who regularly drive on the motorway, but its refinement deficit over the 1.2-litre petrol makes it hard to justify.</p>

<p><strong>Our favourite Fiat 500:</strong> 1.2 Lounge</p>

<p><strong>Page 4 of 5</strong></p>


<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Clever interior space </li> <li>Quiet and comfortable ride </li> <li>Good visibility </li> <li>Plenty of safety tech </li> <li>Low running costs </li> <li>Outstanding value for money</li></ul>

<p>City cars are all about diminutive size and manoeuvrability because they invariably spend most of their time on our increasingly crowded urban streets.</p>

<p>They do need to be big enough for a couple of adults, with back seats that’ll suffice for occasional use by people – or as a dumping ground for a couple of large shopping bags – but they must also be small enough to nip in and out of traffic, and squeeze into tight parking spaces.</p>

<p>Out-and-out acceleration isn’t crucial, but there must be enough oomph in the lower gears to scoot into gaps that appear in the traffic. Running costs should be low, too.</p>

<p>Fortunately there’s never been a better line-up of city cars on offer. Kia's Picanto mixes a neat, functional interior with tidy handling and a surprisingly big boot, while the Skoda Citigo and Suzuki Celerio are cheaper and even more frugal.</p>

City

<h3><strong>Loose trim</strong></h3>

<p>Although the interior has a solid feel, some owners have highlighted problems with&nbsp;items of trim falling off and rattles and squeaks appearing. Plus, the paintwork can mark easily, with&nbsp;black and bright red models appearing to be especially at risk.</p>

<h3><strong>Check the clutch</strong></h3>

<p>A large number of 500s have been used as driving instructors’ cars. Although this shouldn't be a problem if the car is well maintained, it could shorten the life of components such as the clutch. Check that there isn’t any slippage or notchiness, because&nbsp;this indicates abuse and the likelihood of large repair bills.</p>

<h3><strong>Bodywork damage</strong></h3>

<p>Check for any bodywork damage;&nbsp;a car that has to earn its keep in the cut and thrust of city traffic might have had one or two bumps in its life, so look for any scrapes to bumpers, or poor accident repairs&nbsp;to body panels. If the work hasn’t been carried out to Fiat’s workshop standards, this could lead to future rust problems.</p>


<p>Since its arrival&nbsp;in 2008, the reborn&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/review/n22352">Fiat 500</a>&nbsp;has been a huge&nbsp;hit. Its cute design, Italian style&nbsp;and compelling&nbsp;affordability have&nbsp;resonated with both new and used car buyers. The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-used-city-cars/n17033">city car </a>is yet to be succeeded by another generation – although there is now&nbsp;an all-new, slightly larger&nbsp;and fully <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/review/n84">electric&nbsp;model</a>&nbsp;alongside it – with Fiat choosing to continually&nbsp;tweak&nbsp;its existing model instead.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Is it a dated mess, then? Well, not entirely. Its retro looks (which hark back to the original 500 of the late 1950s and 1960s) give&nbsp;it a certain timelessness, plus the aforementioned tweaks&nbsp;have been somewhat significant. There was also a noticeable facelift (in 2016) that brought&nbsp;with it a sharper nose and a new infotainment system, among other changes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In 2020, the range was reduced to one variant, a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/what-is-a-mild-hybrid-and-should-you-buy-one/n22776">mild hybrid </a>model&nbsp;called the 500 Hybrid. It uses a 69bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine, aided by a tiny electric&nbsp;motor and&nbsp;battery. You can’t plug it in, and it can’t travel on electric power alone. It's nippy and economical enough around town&nbsp;but is&nbsp;lacklustre when it comes to motorway driving.&nbsp;</p>

<p>For most of its life,&nbsp;1.2-litre and&nbsp;1.4-litre&nbsp;four-cylinder petrol engines&nbsp;available, as well as&nbsp;a 0.9-litre two-cylinder Twinair that's officially very frugal&nbsp;– less so in reality. Alternatively,&nbsp;for the economy-conscious, there was&nbsp;a 1.3-litre diesel, but that's&nbsp;a bit noisy and unrefined in urban driving.&nbsp;A tweak in 2011 and the 2016 facelift dispensed with both the 1.4 petrol and 1.3 diesel. The sporty <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/abarth/595/hatchback/review/n17259">Abarth</a>&nbsp;versions all come with the same 1.4-litre T-Jet engine, but each produces&nbsp;a different output, from 135bhp to 187bhp.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In essence, there are three trim levels&nbsp;to choose from:&nbsp;Pop, Popstar and Lounge. In later models, Sport replaced Popstar. The entry-level Pop models come with LED daytime running lights, a height-adjustable steering wheel and Fiat's Uconnect infotainment system with USB connectivity, while upgrading to&nbsp;Pop Star gets you air conditioning and split-folding rear&nbsp;seatbacks (otherwise it's a single bench). The range-topping Lounge models come with luxuries such as a fixed glass roof, rear parking sensors, foglights, a DAB radio and Bluetooth.</p>

<p>Later, all-electric and Hybrid models gained a huge variety of special trims, including Action, Connect, Dolce Vita, Dolce Vita Plus, Hey Google, Icon, La Prima, Launch, Passion and Red.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Abarth models are a slightly different breed and, as you might&nbsp;expect, come with all the sporting pretensions expected from a hot hatch.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Twinair engine is a bit of a mixed bag, providing character but needing to be revved and therefore becoming rather thirsty and noisy. The 1.2 is our favourite mix of punch and economy, while the diesel unit feels a little heavy in the pert 500.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Urban streets are where the 500 excels, thanks to its compact size and reasonably nimble handling. On faster roads, its limitations become more apparent, because of its unsettled ride. Improvements were made&nbsp;with the chassis revisions of&nbsp;2010, giving it a similar set-up to the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/ka/hatchback/used-review/n793">Ford Ka</a>, which used&nbsp;the same underpinnings. The 500's refinement also suffers when the speed builds, with wind and road noise becoming increasingly intrusive.</p>

<p>The retro interior is almost as good to look at as the exterior, with plenty of neat design touches. Material quality won't challenge that of a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/hatchback/hatchback/review/n17350">Mini Hatch</a>, but it's far from the worst in this regard,&nbsp;and there are enough chrome finishes to lift the overall ambience.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The modern 500&nbsp;is larger than the original, but it's still very compact by today's standards. There's good passenger space in the front, but the back is cramped for adults. The boot isn't great, either; it's&nbsp;nowhere near as capacious&nbsp;as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/up/hatchback/review/n9">Volkswagen Up</a>'s. That car is also more practical in other ways, too, because it's&nbsp;also produced&nbsp;in five-door form.</p>

<p><strong>If you'd like to buy a used Fiat 500, or any of the other cars mentioned here, check out our&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars"><strong>Used Cars For Sale</strong></a><strong>&nbsp;pages.</strong></p>

<p><strong>Page 1 of 5</strong></p>


Used Fiat 500 2008-present review

Best electric cars - our 2022 award winners revealed

Nissan Qashqai

Audi A3

BMW 1 series

Mini Hatchback

Audi Q2

Hyundai Tucson

Toyota Yaris Cross 

New car deals >>

site ribbon config

Wondering what the best used Fiat 500 2008 - present is for your money? The expert What Car? review team can help you out.

Specification,There have been a huge number of special editions released over the years to entice buyers, but we'll stick with the standard range. Pop is sparsely equipped, so we'd suggest finding a Lounge model for the additional goodies this version provides. ,EngineWhile the 1.2-litre engine is quite slow compared with the other units in the range, it offers excellent fuel economy and is cheap to tax. Owners of 0.9-litre Twinair cars have found it difficult to get anywhere near the claimed fuel economy figures and end up using a similar amount of fuel to the 1.2 anyway.The 1.3-litre diesel is great for those who regularly drive on the motorway, but its refinement deficit over the 1.2-litre petrol makes it hard to justify.Our favourite Fiat 500: 1.2 LoungePage 4 of 5

New car deals >>

Used Fiat 500 2008-present review

Fiat 500 1.2 Pop Euro 5 (s/s) 3dr

Fiat 500 1.2 Pop Euro 4 3dr

Our recommendations

Which used Fiat 500 hatchback should I buy?

Specification

What Car? has a buying service

Quick search

Tools & services

Legal bits

Information