2016 Fiat 500X diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 Fiat 500X diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 Fiat 500X diesel than on all cars registered in 2016.

• Track rod ends6.1× usual
  Fiat 500X

  14.1% All 2016 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.1%, against 1.1% of all 2016 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.

• Sidelights6.5× usual
  Fiat 500X

  8.4% All 2016 cars

  1.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8%, against 1.1% of all 2016 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 discs1.6× usual
  Fiat 500X

  18.4% All 2016 cars

  11.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.8% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

• Engine warning light4.1× usual
  Fiat 500X

  5.8% All 2016 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, against 1.4% of all 2016 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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.9× usual
  Fiat 500X

  9.2% All 2016 cars

  4.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.9% of all 2016 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.

Common 2016 Fiat 500X diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 Fiat 500X diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  36% 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
  27% 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
  24% 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
  14% 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
  6% 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
  5% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Known faults on the 2016 Fiat 500X diesel

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Poor reliability record

  All engines

  The 500X and its Jeep Renegade twin have done poorly in What Car?'s surveys, with electrical faults, warning lights, infotainment glitches and diesel engine management problems that can be costly out of warranty.

  At the viewing: Test the electrics and check no warnings stay on.

  Source: What Car?: used Fiat 500X (2015-2024) reliability

• Rear seat latch and gearbox recalls

  Some cars

  About 25,500 cars were recalled because the rear seat back could unlatch in a crash. Others covered airbag software, an automatic that could slip into neutral, and the 48-volt battery on mild hybrids.

  At the viewing: Ask a Fiat dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

  Source: What Car?: used Fiat 500X (2015-2024) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2016 Fiat 500X diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. What has gone wrong and been fixed?
2. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 6.1× as often on the 2016 Fiat 500X diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sidelights? (Flagged at MOT 6.5× as often on the 2016 Fiat 500X diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2016 Fiat 500X diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?