2011 Fiat 500C: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Fiat 500C?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Fiat 500C than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Shock absorbers3.4× usual
  Fiat 500C

  23.9% All 2011 cars

  7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.9%, against 1.8% of all 2011 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.

• Exhaust system2.5× usual
  Fiat 500C

  15% All 2011 cars

  5.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 1.7% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

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

• Brake lights2.2× usual
  Fiat 500C

  9.2% All 2011 cars

  4.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 3.3% of all 2011 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.

• Front strut mounts and bushes8× usual
  Fiat 500C

  4.8% All 2011 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.1% of all 2011 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.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)3.3× usual
  Fiat 500C

  3.3% All 2011 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1% of all 2011 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 2011 Fiat 500C MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Fiat 500C MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  50% 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
  34% 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
  29% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Brakes
  24% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  16% 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
  10% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 Fiat 500C

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 3.4× as often on the 2011 Fiat 500C as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2011 Fiat 500C as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2011 Fiat 500C as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?