Fiat 500X common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used Fiat 500X, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 104,922 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
Pick the year
Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).
What usually goes wrong with a Fiat 500X?
Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.
- Cars registered 2015–2024 · All engines
Poor reliability record
The 500X and its Jeep Renegade twin have done poorly in What Car?'s surveys, with electrical faults, warning lights, infotainment glitches and diesel engine management problems that can be costly out of warranty.
At the viewing: Test the electrics and check no warnings stay on.
- Cars registered 2015–2024 · Some cars
Rear seat latch and gearbox recalls
About 25,500 cars were recalled because the rear seat back could unlatch in a crash. Others covered airbag software, an automatic that could slip into neutral, and the 48-volt battery on mild hybrids.
At the viewing: Ask a Fiat dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.
Common Fiat 500X MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.
Petrol
Anti-roll bar link joints
up to 11× usualStands out on cars registered in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Track rod ends
up to 9.8× usualStands out on cars registered in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Sidelights
up to 7.1× usualStands out on cars registered in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
Exhaust system
up to 3.8× usualStands out on cars registered in 2016 and 2017.
Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.
Diesel
Track rod ends
up to 9.8× usualStands out on cars registered in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Anti-roll bar link joints
up to 11× usualStands out on cars registered in 2015, 2017 and 2018.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Sidelights
up to 8.2× usualStands out on cars registered in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
Engine warning light
up to 4.1× usualStands out on cars registered in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
Brake discs
up to 1.7× usualStands out on cars registered in 2015 and 2016.
Rough price £150–£350 our estimateAt the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.
Fiat 500X MOT pass rate by year
Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2019 Fiat 500X did best (88% passed first time, 3 points above all 2019 cars) and the 2016 did worst (71%, 6 points below all 2016 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a Fiat 500X
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- What has gone wrong and been fixed?
- Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 15× as often on the Fiat 500X as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 9.8× as often on the Fiat 500X as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the sidelights? (Flagged at MOT 6.9× as often on the Fiat 500X as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Fiat 500X?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score