2013 Abarth 500: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2013 Abarth 500?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2013 Abarth 500 than on all cars registered in 2013.

• Shock absorbers2.8× usual
  Abarth 500

  15.2% All 2013 cars

  5.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 1.2% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.9× usual
  Abarth 500

  14.3% All 2013 cars

  7.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 1.7% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Front strut mounts and bushes8.4× usual
  Abarth 500

  4.2% All 2013 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.1% of all 2013 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.

• Individual direction indicators2.4× usual
  Abarth 500

  4% All 2013 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.6% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)3.6× usual
  Abarth 500

  2.9% All 2013 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 0.8% of all 2013 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.

Common 2013 Abarth 500 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 Abarth 500 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  42% 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
  29% 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
  29% 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
  21% 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
  7% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  7% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2013 Abarth 500

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 2013 Abarth 500 as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2013 Abarth 500 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the front strut mounts and bushes? (Flagged at MOT 8.4× as often on the 2013 Abarth 500 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?