2017 Fiat 500L: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2017 Fiat 500L?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2017 Fiat 500L than on all cars registered in 2017.

• Track rod ends5.7× usual
  Fiat 500L

  8% All 2017 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 0.6% of all 2017 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 springs3.2× usual
  Fiat 500L

  6.8% All 2017 cars

  2.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.4%, against 1.5% of all 2017 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 joints2.3× usual
  Fiat 500L

  8.6% All 2017 cars

  3.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 0.7% of all 2017 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.

• Brake lights3.7× usual
  Fiat 500L

  4.1% All 2017 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 0.9% of all 2017 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.

• Headlight aim2.1× usual
  Fiat 500L

  3.8% All 2017 cars

  1.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 1.8% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £20–£60 our estimate

  At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

Petrol or diesel: does it make a difference?

The same figures for each fuel on its own. Check which one the car you're looking at is: it's on the logbook and in its MOT history.

Common 2017 Fiat 500L MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2017 Fiat 500L MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• 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.

• Suspension
  24% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  13% 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
  6% 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
  3% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2017 Fiat 500L

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 5.7× as often on the 2017 Fiat 500L as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 2017 Fiat 500L as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2017 Fiat 500L as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?