2009 Fiat 500C petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Fiat 500C petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 Fiat 500C petrol than on all cars registered in 2009.

• Shock absorbers3.2× usual
  Fiat 500C

  22.4% All 2009 cars

  7.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.4%, against 2% of all 2009 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.

• Exhaust system2.2× usual
  Fiat 500C

  17.5% All 2009 cars

  7.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 2.2% of all 2009 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.

• Brake lights1.9× usual
  Fiat 500C

  9.5% All 2009 cars

  5.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 4.2% of all 2009 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.

• Front strut mounts and bushes5.4× usual
  Fiat 500C

  4.3% All 2009 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.1% of all 2009 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 2009 Fiat 500C petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 Fiat 500C petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  54% 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
  35% 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
  34% 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
  31% 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
  18% 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 an engine warning light.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  10% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2009 Fiat 500C petrol

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 3.2× as often on the 2009 Fiat 500C petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2009 Fiat 500C petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2009 Fiat 500C petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?