2013 Fiat 500C: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2013 Fiat 500C?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2013 Fiat 500C than on all cars registered in 2013.

• Shock absorbers3.9× usual
  Fiat 500C

  23.2% All 2013 cars

  6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9%, against 1.3% of all 2013 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 system2.7× usual
  Fiat 500C

  12.2% All 2013 cars

  4.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 1.2% of all 2013 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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.7× usual
  Fiat 500C

  14.6% All 2013 cars

  8.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.7%, against 1.8% of all 2013 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.

• Front strut mounts and bushes7.3× usual
  Fiat 500C

  4.4% All 2013 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.1% of all 2013 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.

• Front struts6.4× usual
  Fiat 500C

  3.2% All 2013 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.2% of all 2013 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.

Common 2013 Fiat 500C MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 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
  24% 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
  21% 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
  13% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  7% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2013 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 3.9× as often on the 2013 Fiat 500C as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2013 Fiat 500C as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2013 Fiat 500C as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?