Used car guide

2017 Fiat 500: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2017 Fiat 500s, from 22,604 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

22,604MOT tests in 2025
74%pass first time (all 2017 cars: 78%)
5,300typical miles a year
3.9×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2017 Fiat 500s than on all cars registered in 2017.

  • Shock absorbers3.9× usual
    Fiat 500
    14.3% All 2017 cars
    3.7%
    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 joints3.1× usual
    Fiat 500
    14.7% All 2017 cars
    4.8%
    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 system3.1× usual
    Fiat 500
    4.7% All 2017 cars
    1.5%
    Rough price £100–£500

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

  • Engine oil leaks2.6× usual
    Fiat 500
    5.1% All 2017 cars
    2%
    Rough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Front strut mounts and bushes15.5× usual
    Fiat 500
    3.1% All 2017 cars
    0.2%
    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 2017 Fiat 500 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • Suspension
    32% 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
    22% 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.

  • 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
201918,955Tyres 33%
201823,575Tyres 33%
201631,256Suspension 42%
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 2017 Fiat 500s registered in 2017. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score