Used car guide

2016 Fiat 500: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 Fiat 500s, from 31,256 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

31,256MOT tests in 2025
69%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)
5,200typical miles a year
4.9×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2016 Fiat 500s than on all cars registered in 2016.

  • Shock absorbers4.9× usual
    Fiat 500
    20.9% All 2016 cars
    4.3%
    Rough price £150–£400

    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 joints2.5× usual
    Fiat 500
    15.2% All 2016 cars
    6.1%
    Rough price £100–£300

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

  • Exhaust system3.4× usual
    Fiat 500
    6.7% All 2016 cars
    2%
    Rough price £100–£500

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Coil springs2.1× usual
    Fiat 500
    8.6% All 2016 cars
    4.1%
    Rough price £120–£300

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Front strut mounts and bushes9.3× usual
    Fiat 500
    2.8% All 2016 cars
    0.3%
    Rough price £120–£400

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

By area

The share of 2016 Fiat 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.

  • Tyres
    33% 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.

  • Brakes
    23% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    9% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    6% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
201918,955Tyres 33%
201823,575Tyres 33%
201722,604Tyres 33%
201536,718Suspension 46%
201438,226Suspension 47%
201332,038Suspension 48%
201226,118Suspension 52%
201118,144Suspension 52%
201019,144Suspension 53%
200918,024Suspension 57%
20089,991Suspension 55%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2016 Fiat 500s registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score