How reliable is the Fiat 500?
Owner-reported reliability data: inspection results, typical mileage, and the most common failures.
The Fiat 500 passes first-time inspections somewhat below the European average. The most commonly reported issues are a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a shock absorber bush excessively worn, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements. Typical mileage by age and a year-by-year breakdown of reliability are shown below. All figures are owner-reported real-world data, not a marketing rating.
Average reliability
Based on 95,822 inspection tests. First-time pass rate: 72.4%.
Fiat 500 reliability by year
How the Fiat 500 performs at first-time inspection, broken down by the year cohort. Empty cells mean we don't have enough owner-reported data for that year yet.
| Year cohort | Pass rate | Typical mileage @ 5 yrs |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 63.8% | – |
| 2008 | 62.8% | – |
| 2009 | 62.6% | – |
| 2010 | 64.7% | – |
| 2011 | 67.5% | – |
| 2012 | 68.8% | – |
| 2013 | 72% | – |
| 2014 | 72.4% | – |
| 2015 | 72.6% | – |
| 2016 | 76.5% | – |
| 2017 | 81.6% | 47,929 km |
| 2018 | 85.6% | 44,096 km |
| 2019 | 89.9% | 42,562 km |
| 2020 | 92.6% | 53,620 km |
| 2021 | 92.6% | – |
Model-level pattern, not per-car prediction
These figures describe the Fiat 500 as a model. The reliability of any individual Fiat 500 also depends on service history, accident history, and how it was driven. Run a free VIN check to see the records attached to a specific car you're considering.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Fiat 500 reliable?
Based on owner-reported inspection records, the Fiat 500 passes first-time inspections somewhat below the European average. Its first-time inspection pass rate sits around 72%. Reliability varies by year and engine: see the year-by-year breakdown on this page for the specific cohort you're considering.
What are the common problems on the Fiat 500?
The most common owner-reported issues are: A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn (4.5% of inspections); A shock absorber bush excessively worn (2.4% of inspections); Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements (1.5% of inspections); A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage (1.5% of inspections); A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn (1.4% of inspections).
What mileage is normal for a Fiat 500?
For a typical Fiat 500, owner-reported average mileage works out to about – at 3 years, – at 5 years, and 92,055 km at 10 years. The mileage section on this page shows the full distribution, high-use vs low-use cars often differ by a factor of three.
How do I check a specific Fiat 500 before buying?
Enter the 17-character VIN on Carlytics. The free check shows decoded specs and open safety recalls. The full vehicle history report (from EUR 8.90) cross-references owner-reported issues, mileage records, and stolen-vehicle databases for the specific car, model-level reliability tells you the pattern, the VIN check tells you the car.