City car · 2008–2018 cars
Abarth 500 reliability
The Abarth 500 fails 29.9% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, based on 19,364 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Abarth 500 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 29.9%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 2% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 19,364
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 6,200
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Abarth 500 ages
Each point is the share of Abarth 500s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Abarth 500 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 20.8% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 28% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 27% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 29% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 30.3% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 30.9% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 33% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 28.8% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 32.7% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 26.7% | 42.3% |
By year
The best and worst Abarth 500 years
2009 cars come out best and 2015 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 215 | 23.3% | 31% more fails | 35,742 |
| 2015 500 | 2,576 | 25.2% | 17% more fails | 47,498 |
| 2014 500 | 2,661 | 28% | 15% more fails | 53,593 |
| 2013 500 | 1,895 | 28.5% | 0% more fails | 62,605 |
| 2012 500 | 2,748 | 31.3% | 2% more fails | 64,899 |
| 2011 500 | 3,040 | 32.2% | 3% fewer fails | 69,993 |
| 2010 500 | 3,501 | 30.8% | 14% fewer fails | 73,411 |
| 2009 500 | 2,686 | 32.2% | 16% fewer fails | 80,134 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Abarth 500
Its weak spot is body, chassis and structure: 35% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension12.5%21% above avg
- Lights and electrics12.3%2% above avg
- Tyres6.1%2% below avg
- Brakes5.6%17% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure4.6%35% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.1%14% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.7%24% above avg
- Steering0.9%54% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.5%66% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
CV joint boot split or insecure 2.6% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 2
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 2.39% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 3
Shock absorber bush excessively worn 2.29% of tests
Worn shock absorber bushes cause knocking and poor ride control, and they tend to worsen, so they need replacing.
- 4
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 2.17% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 5
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 1.93% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
- 6
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.79% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 7
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.69% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 8
Position lamp not working 1.65% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Abarth 500's MOT certificate most often.
- Brake disc pitted or scored13.8%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit11.5%
- Coil spring showing some corrosion7.12%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear6.75%
- Brake pads wearing thin5.28%
- Shock absorber light oil misting4.2%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Abarth 500
- 1
CV joint boot split or insecure
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 2
Suspension ball joint excessively worn
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 3
Shock absorber bush excessively worn
Worn shock absorber bushes cause knocking and poor ride control, and they tend to worsen, so they need replacing.
- 4
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Abarth 500 covers about 6,200 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol100%
- Diesel0%
Most common colours
White, Grey, Red, Black, Blue
Average engine size: 1.4 litres.
Compare
How the Abarth 500 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Abarth 500 | 29.9% | about average for its age |
| Smart Fortwo Cabriolet | 33.5% | about average for its age |
| Volkswagen Lupo | 39.8% | about average for its age |
| Daihatsu Sirion | 37.8% | about average for its age |
| Smart City Coupe | 41.1% | 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai Amica | 43% | 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Chrysler Ypsilon | 36.3% | 29% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every city car ranked in the city car reliability index, or all Abarth models.
Questions
Abarth 500 questions, answered
Is the Abarth 500 reliable?
On MOT results, the Abarth 500 is about average: it fails 29.9% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage. It ranks 6 of 43 city car models in our index.
What fails most on a Abarth 500 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Abarth 500 are cv joint boot split or insecure (2.6% of tests), suspension ball joint excessively worn (2.39% of tests), shock absorber bush excessively worn (2.29% of tests). By area, suspension fails 12.5% of its tests.
Which Abarth 500 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2009 cars do best (16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2015 cars do worst (17% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Abarth 500 do a year?
A typical Abarth 500 covers about 6,200 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Abarth 500 before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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