Is the Fiat 500 reliable?
The Fiat 500 is generally mid-pack for reliability. It is not considered a segment leader like a Toyota Aygo or Suzuki Swift, but it's no disaster, either. It's good in the areas that matter most, like the engine and electrics, but has several common, often minor, issues like trim rattles. There are some other things to watch out for:
Engine: The radiator coolant reservoir can crack and deprive the engine of coolant. Keep an eye out for any sign of fluids under the car and replace if you spot any leaks. A faulty coil pack can cause a misfire or make the engine difficult to start. These cost around £80-£100 to replace. With any prospective purchase, make sure you start the car from cold and take it on a long test drive. If you get a whiff of petrol while driving, this could be an early sign of faulty injector seals, which will need to be replaced.
Exhaust: The flexi pipe that connects the main part of the exhaust to the manifold can corrode and then crack, especially around the seals. Check if the exhaust is blowing or if it’s unusually loud. The clamps that hold the exhaust onto the car can corrode and, in the worst cases, the exhaust can fall off. You will need new clamps to reattach it to the underside of the car.
Gearbox: Some diesel models suffer from clutch vibration between 2500-3000rpm. A faulty clutch master cylinder supply pipe is the usual culprit and a replacement should solve the issue.
Body: Door handles are a common bugbear due to the hinges breaking. Swapping the hinge will solve the issue but it’s a tricky job because you will probably need to remove the door card.
