2018 Fiat 500L petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2018 Fiat 500L petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2018 Fiat 500L petrol than on all cars registered in 2018.

• Coil springs8.8× usual
  Fiat 500L

  9.7% All 2018 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.4%, against 0.9% of all 2018 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 ends5.2× usual
  Fiat 500L

  6.2% All 2018 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 0.6% of all 2018 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 joints2.7× usual
  Fiat 500L

  6.1% All 2018 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 0.4% of all 2018 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.

• Daytime running lights14× usual
  Fiat 500L

  2.8% All 2018 cars

  0.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 0.1% of all 2018 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.

• Brake lights4.1× usual
  Fiat 500L

  3.3% All 2018 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 0.6% of all 2018 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 2018 Fiat 500L petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2018 Fiat 500L petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  30% 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
  22% 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
  17% 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
  11% 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
  8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Seats and seatbelts
  4% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2018 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 8.8× as often on the 2018 Fiat 500L petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 5.2× as often on the 2018 Fiat 500L petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2018 Fiat 500L petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?