Item: Used Fiat 500 2008-present
Rating: 3
Author: What Car? Team

<p>The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/mini">Mini</a>&nbsp;hatchback is certainly the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/fiat">Fiat</a> 500’s arch rival, but that’s for good reasons. The Mini drives with&nbsp;alacrity, has a well-made interior and offers an excellent infotainment system,&nbsp;even if that is part of an optional package. It will cost more than the 500, though.</p>

<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 it's nowhere near as desirable or as stylish.&nbsp;This will be reflected in the price, however.</p>

<p>The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/up/hatchback/used-review/n794">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 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>

<h3><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></h3>

<h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/fiat/500"><strong>Find a used 500&nbsp;for sale&nbsp;with What Car?&nbsp;Used Car Buying&nbsp;pages &gt;&gt;</strong></a></h3>

<p><strong>Page 5 of 5</strong></p>


What is it like?

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Advice for buyers

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<h3><strong>Instrument cluster</strong></h3>

<p>The driver's instrument cluster fitted to some 500s made between 19 July - 7 October 2017 could display incorrect information - such as speed. 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 may 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 problem with a pipe connected to the brake servo may fail on examples manufactured from 1 June&nbsp;until 30 September 2012. You may 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 replace at a Fiat dealer.</p>

<h3><strong>Risk of rear brake lock-up</strong></h3>

<p>A problem with the rear brakes on vehicles constructed 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>A problem with the front seatbelts installed on cars made between 1 September and 20 November 2014 may 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 may 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, which could lead 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 if it is 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 may 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 assembled between 21-29 September&nbsp;2017 could fail, and you may 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>The 500 finished quite a long way down the value and small car class rankings&nbsp;in 17th place out of 21&nbsp;cars, in our latest reliability survey.</p>

<p>Fiat as a brand finished in 12th place out of 31 manufacturers in our most recent reliability survey.&nbsp;</p>

<p>If you would like to see the full reliability list, head to the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2020-what-car-reliability-survey/n20042">What Car? Reliability Survey</a> pages for more information.</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 a stylish city car, but it falls short in terms of interior space and the driving experience</p>


Used Fiat 500 2008-present

<h3><strong>MPG</strong></h3>

<p>Diesel models are rated for 67.3mpg (72.4mpg with stop/start) as recorded under the older NEDC tests.&nbsp;The 1.2-litre 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 turbo two-cylinder engine&nbsp;is&nbsp;the economy star: it manages to do 70.6mpg or 67.3mpg, depending on power output, although this drops to 52.3mpg under the later, more realistic WLTP tests. Meanwhile, the later 1.0 hybrid version claims an official WLTP fuel consumption 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-litre emits just&nbsp;140g/km (135g/km with stop/start) and the diesel 110g/km (104g/km with stop/start).</p>

<h3><strong>Car 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 (Car Tax) at the flat annual rate.&nbsp;To find out more about the current <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/car-tax-changes-in-2019-%E2%80%93-what-do-i-need-to-know/n1153">road tax costs, click here</a>.</p>

<h3><strong>Servicing and insurance</strong></h3>

<p>Insurance is a similar story, with all 500s sitting in groups 3 to 6. Only the Abarths reach double digits, in groups 13 and 14.</p>

<p>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 a stylish city car, but it falls short in terms of space and the driving experience

<p>Prices for the 500 start at around £1500 for&nbsp;the highest-mileage examples from 2008 and 2009. If you can spend&nbsp;around £2000 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 £2000 and £3000 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 £2000. 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 will set you back between £4000 and £6000 for a good 2015 or 2016 car,&nbsp;£6500 or more&nbsp;on good 2017,&nbsp;and £8000 or more on later 2019&nbsp;cars.&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. The only thing that isn’t small about this hot hatch is the price;&nbsp;you’ll need £4000 at least 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>


<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;&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>

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Spacious enough for four adults to sit comfortably</li> <li>Logically laid-out interior that doesn’t</li> <li>feel too cheap</li> <li>Mature driving manners </li> <li>Decent-sized boot</li> <li>Competitive buying and running costs</li></ul>

<p>Small cars, or superminis as they’re also known, used to be bought by single people or couples with no children – but the likes of the Ford Fiesta, Seat Ibiza and Volkswagen&nbsp;Polo have grown to the point where they can be considered all-round family transport, albeit with the odd compromise.</p>

<p>The Fiesta remains a star of the class, thanks to its strong Ecoboost petrol engines and suspension settings that are beautifully judged for British roads. However, the latest Volkswagen offers even more practicality, decent performance and a classy interior that has the edge on the Ford’s for quality.</p>

<p>Any of these models will be a competent commuter car – especially if fitted with one of the increasingly popular small turbocharged petrol engines – but just remember that while you’ll be able to carry two adults and two children, it might still be a struggle to get all of their luggage into the boot.</p>

Small

<h3><strong>Loose trim</strong></h3>

<p>Despite a solid feel, Some owners have highlighted problems with the&nbsp;interiors&nbsp;of some 500s having suffered&nbsp;from 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 any notchiness since this indicates abuse and the likelihood of large repair bills.</p>

<h3><strong>Bodywork damage</strong></h3>

<p>Also, check for any bodywork damage;&nbsp;a car that has to earn its keep in the cut and thrust of traffic may have had one or two bumps in its life, so look for any scrapes to bumpers, or poor accident repair to body panels. If the work hasn’t been carried out to Fiat’s workshop standards, then this could lead to future rust problems.</p>


<p>The modern <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/fiat">Fiat</a> 500 reinvents one of the most iconic cars of the late 1950s and 1960s, in much the same way that <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/bmw">BMW</a> did with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/hatchback/hatchback/used-review/n906">Mini</a>. Cute styling, a vibrant&nbsp;personality and lots of kerb appeal have made it a surefire hit on both the new and the used car market.</p>

<p>It's been around since 2008 and, in time, Fiat expanded the range to include a convertible <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/sports/used-review/n956">500C</a> version, and two larger and more family-friendly versions called the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500x/estate/used-review/n911">500X</a> and the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500l/hatchback/used-review/n970">500L</a>. You can even buy hot-rod versions made by the tuning arm <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/abarth/595/hatchback/used-review/n935">Abarth</a>, adding a fair dollop of speed into the equation.</p>

<p>From 2020 onwards, you could buy a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/review/n84">mild-hybrid version</a>, or, from later on that same year, an all-new, slightly larger&nbsp;and fully <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2021-fiat-500-electric-review-price-specs-and-release-date/n21870">electric&nbsp;model</a>. However, for real charm and character, it's still&nbsp;the more straightforward&nbsp;two-door city car most seek out.</p>

<p>Under its pert bonnet there was, for most of its life, a choice of&nbsp;a 1.2-litre and 1-4.litre&nbsp;four-cylinder petrol units and a two-cylinder 0.9-litre Twinair that's good on fuel officially&nbsp;but 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 a facelift in 2015 dispensed with both the 1.4 petrol and the 1.3 diesel units. Those sporty <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/abarth/595/hatchback/used-review/n935">Abarth</a> versions all come with the same 1.4-litre Tjet engine, but each produces&nbsp;a different output - 143bhp, 163bhp and 178bhp for the 595,&nbsp;Turismo&nbsp;and&nbsp;Competizione&nbsp;respectively.</p>

<p>The 2020 facelift brought in a 1.0-litre mild-hybrid engine.&nbsp;You can’t plug it in, and it can’t travel on electric power alone. Instead, the naturally aspirated 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine has&nbsp;a tiny electric motor and a minuscule lithium-ion battery to help share the effort.&nbsp;There's also a 68bhp 1.2 petrol engine&nbsp;that's available exclusively with an automatic gearbox.</p>

<p>Basically, 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 day-running-lights, Fiat's Uconnect infotainment system with USB connectivity, and height-adjustable steering wheel, while upgrading to the limelight and the Pop Star trim will see the additions of air conditioning and rear splitting seats. The range-topping Lounge models come with luxuries such as a fixed panel glass roof, rear parking sensors, fog lights, a DAB radio and Bluetooth all included as standard.</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-cum-track-day-special.&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. The later hybrid feels pretty much like the regular 1.2 on the road, with no noticeable gains in performance.</p>

<p>Urban streets are where the 500 excels, thanks to its reasonably nimble handling. On faster roads, its limitations become more apparent, because of its nervous and unsettled ride. Things were improved with the chassis revisions that&nbsp;were made in 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 platform. The 500's refinement also suffers when the speed builds, with wind and road noise becoming increasingly irritating. At least the engines aren't too noisy, although none are exactly refined, even the hybrid version.&nbsp;</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 the Mini, 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 bigger 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 bigger than that of&nbsp;the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/mini">Mini</a>&nbsp;but nowhere near as good as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/up/hatchback/used-review/n794">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>If you're interested in finding a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/fiat/500?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=tw1%203sp">used 500</a>, or any of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/category/city">other city&nbsp;cars</a> mentioned here, head over to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">Used Car Buying</a>&nbsp;pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.</p>

<p><strong>Page 1 of 5</strong></p>


Used Fiat 500 2008-present review

Our recommendations

Which used Fiat 500 hatchback should I buy?

Specification