2015 Fiat 500C: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2015 Fiat 500C?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2015 Fiat 500C than on all cars registered in 2015.

• Shock absorbers5.2× usual
  Fiat 500C

  26.8% All 2015 cars

  5.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.8%, against 1.1% of all 2015 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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.1× usual
  Fiat 500C

  14.9% All 2015 cars

  7.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.1%, against 1.4% of all 2015 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.

• Exhaust system2.8× usual
  Fiat 500C

  7.6% All 2015 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.7% of all 2015 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.

• Coil springs1.8× usual
  Fiat 500C

  9.5% All 2015 cars

  5.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 3% of all 2015 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.

• Front strut mounts and bushes9.8× usual
  Fiat 500C

  3.9% All 2015 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.1% of all 2015 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 2015 Fiat 500C MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2015 Fiat 500C MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  47% 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
  20% 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
  16% 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
  8% 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
  6% 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 2015 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 5.2× as often on the 2015 Fiat 500C as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2015 Fiat 500C as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 2015 Fiat 500C as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?