Used car guide

2018 Fiat 500L: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Fiat 500Ls, from 601 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

601MOT tests in 2025
63%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
5,800typical miles a year
7.8×the usual rate for track rod ends

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Fiat 500Ls than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Track rod ends7.8× usual
    Fiat 500L
    13.3% All 2018 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.8%, against 0.8% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Coil springs7.6× usual
    Fiat 500L
    13% All 2018 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 12.6%, against 1.3% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints3.2× usual
    Fiat 500L
    10.1% All 2018 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 0.5% of all 2018 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.

By area

The share of 2018 Fiat 500L 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.

  • Tyres
    32% 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
    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
    14% 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
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    4% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Looking at a Fiat 500L?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2017878Tyres 34%
20161,611Suspension 32%
20152,950Suspension 36%
20146,574Suspension 37%
20133,983Suspension 36%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2018 Fiat 500Ls registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score