City car · 2008–2021 cars
Fiat 500C reliability
The Fiat 500C fails 31.5% of first MOT tests, 27% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 72,140 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Fiat 500C before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 31.5%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 27% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 72,140
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 5,500
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Fiat 500C ages
Each point is the share of Fiat 500Cs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Fiat 500C | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 10.7% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 14.9% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 19.5% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 22.5% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 26.6% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 29.9% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 32.1% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 34.9% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 37% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 40.2% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 40.9% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 42.3% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 44.3% | 42.3% |
By year
The best and worst Fiat 500C 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 347 | 4.9% | 50% fewer fails | 16,284 |
| 2020 500C | 1,725 | 12.2% | 22% more fails | 17,086 |
| 2019 | 833 | 11.3% | 4% more fails | 19,346 |
| 2018 500C | 1,896 | 16.8% | 32% more fails | 25,038 |
| 2017 500C | 5,043 | 19.4% | 34% more fails | 29,189 |
| 2016 500C | 7,250 | 23.8% | 38% more fails | 35,535 |
| 2015 500C | 8,303 | 30% | 49% more fails | 41,682 |
| 2014 500C | 9,280 | 30.4% | 32% more fails | 46,193 |
| 2013 500C | 8,076 | 31.6% | 22% more fails | 52,419 |
| 2012 500C | 9,468 | 35.8% | 23% more fails | 58,242 |
| 2011 500C | 8,722 | 39.3% | 23% more fails | 63,536 |
| 2010 500C | 7,093 | 41.5% | 19% more fails | 68,259 |
| 2009 500C | 4,064 | 42.9% | 18% more fails | 71,625 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Fiat 500C
Its weak spot is suspension: 96% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension14.5%96% above avg
- Lights and electrics10.5%19% above avg
- Tyres6.5%20% above avg
- Brakes6%17% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.8%17% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure3.4%47% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.7%30% above avg
- Steering0.4%67% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.4%30% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 4.01% of tests
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
- 2
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 3.95% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 3
Shock absorber bush excessively worn 2.8% of tests
Worn shock absorber bushes cause knocking and poor ride control, and they tend to worsen, so they need replacing.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.05% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 5
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 1.8% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 6
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.78% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 7
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.64% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 8
Stop lamp not working 1.53% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Fiat 500C's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit14.26%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking9.49%
- Brake disc pitted or scored9.39%
- Shock absorber light oil misting8.11%
- Coil spring showing some corrosion6.3%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear5.6%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Fiat 500C
- 1
Shock absorber serious fluid leak
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
- 2
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 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
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 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 Fiat 500C covers about 5,500 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
- Petrol98.3%
- Diesel1.6%
- Hybrid0.1%
Most common colours
White, Blue, Red, Grey, Black
Average engine size: 1.2 litres.
Compare
How the Fiat 500C compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota iQ | 23% | 29% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Suzuki Celerio | 14.6% | 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Smart Fortwo Coupe | 34.8% | about average for its age |
| Abarth 595 | 18.6% | 16% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Fiat 500C | 31.5% | 27% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Smart Forfour | 25.6% | 30% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Renault Twingo | 36.6% | 33% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every city car ranked in the city car reliability index, or all Fiat models.
Questions
Fiat 500C questions, answered
Is the Fiat 500C reliable?
On MOT results, the Fiat 500C is well below average: it fails 31.5% of first MOT tests, 27% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 34 of 43 city car models in our index.
What fails most on a Fiat 500C MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Fiat 500C are shock absorber serious fluid leak (4.01% of tests), suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (3.95% of tests), shock absorber bush excessively worn (2.8% of tests). By area, suspension fails 14.5% of its tests.
Which Fiat 500C year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2009 cars do best (18% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2015 cars do worst (49% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Fiat 500C do a year?
A typical Fiat 500C covers about 5,500 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 Fiat 500C 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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