2010 Fiat 500C petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2010 Fiat 500C petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2010 Fiat 500C petrol than on all cars registered in 2010.

• Shock absorbers3× usual
  Fiat 500C

  22% All 2010 cars

  7.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.9%, against 2% of all 2010 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 system2.4× usual
  Fiat 500C

  16.9% All 2010 cars

  7.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 2% of all 2010 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.

• Coil springs1.6× usual
  Fiat 500C

  16.7% All 2010 cars

  10.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 4.3% of all 2010 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.

• Brake lights2.3× usual
  Fiat 500C

  10.7% All 2010 cars

  4.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 3.7% of all 2010 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.

Common 2010 Fiat 500C petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2010 Fiat 500C petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  51% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  32% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Brakes
  29% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  17% 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
  9% 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 2010 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× as often on the 2010 Fiat 500C petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2010 Fiat 500C petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2010 Fiat 500C petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?