2018 Fiat 500C: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2018 Fiat 500C?

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

• Shock absorbers4.2× usual
  Fiat 500C

  12.1% All 2018 cars

  2.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 0.5% of all 2018 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 joints2.3× usual
  Fiat 500C

  7.3% All 2018 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, 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.

Common 2018 Fiat 500C MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2018 Fiat 500C MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  30% 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
  22% 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
  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.

• 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  5% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  5% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2018 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 4.2× as often on the 2018 Fiat 500C as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2018 Fiat 500C as on other cars the same age.)
3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?