Nearly new buying guide: Fiat 500
Handling is secure and predictable rather than keen
If you think the cheery 500 has bags of visual appeal, take a look at its even more attractive price tag
Even before it was launched in 2008, few doubted the Fiat 500 would be a hit. The Volkswagen Beetle and, more successfully, the Mini had proved the market for retro was on fire. And so sales of the little Fiat roared ahead and, just like the Mini, it spawned spin-offs in the shape of the convertible, warm and hot Abarth versions, the 500L, 500L MPW seven-seater and 500X crossover.
But it’s the standard 500 hatch we’re interested in here – specifically, the facelifted version launched in 2015. Fiat claimed it made 1900 changes, including to the bumpers but also to the suspension and brakes, and to the engines in terms of efficiency improvements. Our tester wasn’t entirely convinced but was pleased to note that the 500’s cheeky charm remained intact.
With the 2015 facelift, buyers could choose from three petrol engines: a 68bhp 1.2-litre and a more modern twin-cylinder 0.9-litre, called the TwinAir, in 84bhp and 104bhp outputs. A few months later, an eco version of the 1.2-litre arrived boasting a tax-free 99g/km CO2, as well as a 94bhp 1.3-litre Multijet diesel for the few high-mileage 500 drivers out there.
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Easily the biggest seller since 2015 has been the 68bhp 1.2. The motor may lack the TwinAir’s thrummy note and is slower over 0-62mph (12.9sec compared with the 84bhp 0.9-litre Twin Air’s 11.0sec) but it’s cheaper and less juicy. Paired with Lounge trim – there are three specs: Pop, Pop Star and Lounge – it’s a charming, well-equipped runabout.
Superficially, the two 0.9-litre TwinAir motors seem like a better match for the 500. Their sound recalls the original’s air-cooled motor but they do need a light foot to return even reasonable economy, although ones registered before 1 April 2017 are free to tax. The pay-off is stronger performance and an ability to cruise more happily.
The lower-powered one is good value, with a 2015-reg 0.9-litre 85 Pop Star with 25,000 miles costing £5400. The more powerful 104bhp version whips from a standstill to 62mph in 10sec but that advantage comes at a price, with a 2015-reg 0.9-litre 105 TwinAir Pop Star with 20,000 miles coming in at £6300.
Incidentally, Fiat’s efficiency claims for the TwinAir came home to roost recently when it was forced to drop this version in the face of the RDE1 (real driving emissions) test.
Also free of road tax, at least those registered before 1 April 2017, are the 1.2-litre Eco petrol and 1.3-litre Multijet diesel versions. The diesel is a smooth, quiet and torquey unit that can get a sprint on and cruise all day long. However, it’s rare and expensive if the 20,000-mile 2017-reg example we found, priced at £8995, is anything to go by. It was dropped from the line-up last year.
A used 500 will always raise a smile, but with prices for a facelift model starting at just £4000, on second thoughts, make that a laugh.
*BUYER BEWAREReliability *According to a major warranty company, the previous, first-generation 500 was only “fairly” reliable, problem areas being the axles and suspension, electrical system, cooling and heating system, and gearbox. Check these on any used 500 of the later version under discussion here that you’re considering. Regarding this later model, there have been many reports of poor reliability and this summary only scratches the surface. Diesel DPF and electrical problems dominate.
*Engine *The 1.2 petrol needs a new timing belt every five years or 60,000 miles. On low-mileage 1.3 Multijet diesel models check for 'oil exhausted' warning light indicating diesel dilution of the engine oil caused by excessive DPF regen cycles. It's a common problem.
*Transmission *Check the operation of the clutch since many 500s have been driving school cars.
*Bodywork *Black and bright red models susceptible to marking easily. Check the condition of the electrical cables in the hatchback hinge. They can chaff and wear through.
*Interior *Listen for loose trim rattling and buzzing.
*Need to know*
Under the old NEDC economy test, Fiat quoted 68.9mpg for the 0.9 TwinAir 85 but we achieved just 35mpg. Under the new WLTP test, Fiat quotes 52.3mpg but drivers less enthusiastic than our testers can expect 47mpg and a touch more from the 1.2.
According to a major warranty company, the previous, first-generation 500 was only “fairly” reliable, problem areas being the axles and suspension, electrical system, cooling and heating system, and gearbox. Check these on any used 500 of the later version under discussion here that you’re considering.
The 500 has been the subject of at least five recalls, including possible failure of the right driveshaft, replacement of the electric power steering system and duff info in the instrument cluster.
*Our pick *
*500 1.2 Lounge:* Plentiful and well equipped (glass roof, parking sensors, digital radio, air-con and 15in alloy wheels) and the 1.2 is just powerful enough. A 2015-reg one with 46,000 miles is £4100.
*Wild card*
*500 1.2 Lounge Dualogic:* The auto is a smooth changer if a bit dopey from the get-go. Fine if you don’t like swapping cogs or your licence restricts you to one. A 2015-reg with 40,000 miles is £6400.
*Top spec pick*
*Anniversario:* Launched in 2017, this 1.2 special edition marks 60 years of the 500 with special colours, vintage-look 16in alloys and striped seat fabric, plus climate control and rear parking sensors.
*Ones we found*
2015 500 1.2 Pop, 23,000 miles, £3995
2016 500 1.2 Pop Star, 59,000 miles, £4999
2017 500 0.9 TwinAir Pop Star, 22,000 miles, £6700
2018 500 1.2 Lounge, 10 miles, £7995
*Read more*
*Fiat 500 review*
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