FIAT 500 L Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 353 MOT tests from 27 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®. The figures below describe that VehicleScore® sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are not a claim that every FIAT 500 L has the same fault.

FIAT 500 L's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 552/999. The score was calculated from the average of every FIAT 500 L that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

FIAT 500 L (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Diesel	2013	552/999Above average	72,600 miles	736 vehicles

How reliable is the FIAT 500 L?

Based on 353 MOT tests from 27 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

MOT tests

353

Pass rate

76.8%

Median mileage

78,125 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every FIAT 500 L has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 670 out of 999.

Common FIAT 500 L MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 60 advisory comments and 6 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 40 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 16 advisory comments and 8 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 10 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Oil leak

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 10 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Headlamp faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 4 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a headlamp that was not working, insecure, or aimed incorrectly.

What to inspect

Switch on dipped and main beam and look for a cloudy lens or a wrong aim.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE HEADLAMP AIM TOO HIGH (4.1.2 (A))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 4 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE STOP LAMP(S) NOT WORKING (4.3.1 (A) (II))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 3 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.2.2 (G))

FIAT 500 L MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore® has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2014	15	198	74.7%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2013	12	155	79.4%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear

What to check when buying a used FIAT 500 L

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore® sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Headlamp faults. Switch on dipped and main beam and look for a cloudy lens or a wrong aim.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Buying a FIAT 500 L?

Common problems tell you what can affect FIAT 500 Ls generally. VehicleScore® can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore® analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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