2014 Abarth 595: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2014 Abarth 595?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2014 Abarth 595 than on all cars registered in 2014.

• Brake discs1.7× usual
  Abarth 595

  21.8% All 2014 cars

  13.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 1% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

• Front strut mounts and bushes11.5× usual
  Abarth 595

  4.6% All 2014 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.1% of all 2014 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.

• Shock absorbers1.8× usual
  Abarth 595

  9.2% All 2014 cars

  5.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 1.1% of all 2014 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.

• Washers2× usual
  Abarth 595

  4.8% All 2014 cars

  2.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 2.4% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

  At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

• Sub-frame1.9× usual
  Abarth 595

  3.1% All 2014 cars

  1.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

Common 2014 Abarth 595 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2014 Abarth 595 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  33% 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
  28% 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
  25% 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
  13% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  9% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  6% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2014 Abarth 595

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

1. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2014 Abarth 595 as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the front strut mounts and bushes? (Flagged at MOT 11.5× as often on the 2014 Abarth 595 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2014 Abarth 595 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?