2017 Fiat 500L petrol: common problems and MOT failures

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

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

• Coil springs4.9× usual
  Fiat 500L

  10.2% All 2017 cars

  2.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.7%, 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.

• Track rod ends6.1× usual
  Fiat 500L

  8.6% All 2017 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, 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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.1× usual
  Fiat 500L

  7.9% All 2017 cars

  3.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, 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 lights4.5× usual
  Fiat 500L

  5% All 2017 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, 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.

• Exhaust system3.3× usual
  Fiat 500L

  3.9% All 2017 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.3% of all 2017 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.

Common 2017 Fiat 500L petrol MOT failures and advisories

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

• Tyres
  31% 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
  26% 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
  18% 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
  7% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Exhaust and emissions
  4% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2017 Fiat 500L 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 coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 4.9× as often on the 2017 Fiat 500L petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 6.1× as often on the 2017 Fiat 500L petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2017 Fiat 500L petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?