Used car guide

2010 Abarth 500: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2010 Abarth 500s, from 910 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

910MOT tests in 2025
67%pass first time (all 2010 cars: 59%)
5,500typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2010 Abarth 500s than on all cars registered in 2010.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.3× usual
    Abarth 500
    11.3% All 2010 cars
    5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.5%, against 2.3% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)3.2× usual
    Abarth 500
    4.8% All 2010 cars
    1.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 1.4% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Front strut mounts and bushes4.7× usual
    Abarth 500
    3.8% All 2010 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.1% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 4.6% here, against 10.2% of all 2010 cars. Sidelights: 2.6% here, against 6.8% of all 2010 cars.

By area

The share of 2010 Abarth 500 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    45% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    30% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    28% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    26% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    11% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    11% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Looking at a Abarth 500?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2015720Suspension 42%
2014748Suspension 46%
2013518Suspension 48%
2012733Suspension 43%
2011838Suspension 43%
2009723Suspension 40%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2010 Abarth 500s registered in 2010. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score