Model reliability

Fiat 500l reliability

The Fiat 500l fails its MOT more often than most cars 6 to 10 years old: 32.9% of 16,864 tests failed in 2023, against 24.4% on average.

Up to 5 years old

24.1% failed their MOT

Worse than most

From 838 MOT tests of Fiat 500ls this age. A small sample, so take it as a rough guide: a few cars either way can move these figures.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 3× as oftenWipers6.2% vs 2.1%

Fails 18× as oftenSprings5.5% vs 0.3%Fix about £150

Fails 47% more oftenHeadlamp aim2.5% vs 1.7%Fix about £30

Fails 5× as oftenStop lamp1.4% vs 0.3%Fix about £30

6 to 10 years old

32.9% failed their MOT

Worse than most

From 16,864 MOT tests of Fiat 500ls this age.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 3× as oftenSprings6.7% vs 2.4%Fix about £150

Fails 2× as oftenSuspension arms5% vs 2.3%

Fails 54% more oftenMechanical brake components4.3% vs 2.8%

Fails 3× as oftenStop lamp3.8% vs 1.5%Fix about £30

Advised 2× as oftenFluid leaks4.8% vs 2.2%

Safety recalls

2 DVSA recalls for the Fiat 500l

Most cover a batch of cars built in a set period, and dealers fix them free. Sweep’s check shows the recalls for a car’s age and whether the DVSA has one outstanding.

R/2021/06819 Mar 2021Built 2018–2020Due to incorrect type approval data processing the manufacturer's plate (vin plate) and registration document must be replaced

Due to incorrect type-approval data processing the manufacturer's plate (VIN plate) and registration document must be replaced.

Fix: Replace the VIN plate and update the registration document as required.

Recalled models: 500L · 18 vehicles

R/2017/32513 Dec 2017Built 2012–2017Supplementary heater wiring may become damaged and cause an electrical short-circuit

On some Fiat 500L vehicles a layout non-conformity could cause abrasion of the supplementary heater (PTC) wiring. This could result in possible electric short-circuiting with the possibility of a loss of some vehicle safety. In the worst case it could cause a vehicle fire..

Fix: Apply a cut-proof sheath on the supplementary heater wiring to protect it from abrasions.

Recalled models: 500L · 17,329 vehicles

DVSA vehicle safety recalls (Crown copyright, Open Government Licence).

Checking a Fiat 500l before you buy

Look at the parts above at the viewing, and read the car’s own MOT history: advisories for the same parts suggest the problem is already starting. Sweep’s free check shows every MOT, advisory and mileage reading for a registration.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2023 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Failure rates compare this model with all cars in the same age band. Fix prices are typical independent-garage estimates.

Fiat 500l reliability

2 DVSA recalls for the Fiat 500l

Checking a Fiat 500l before you buy

Run this check on every listing, automatically.