Carsieve All versions
| Variant | Running cost per month | Median price | Listings | Fuel | Engine codes | Gearbox | Production years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 8V, 69 PS, 5-speed manual Research | €374 | €5,500 | 1,268 | Petrol | 169A4000 | Manual (5) | 2007–2015 |
| 1.2 8V, 69 PS, 5-speed manual, convertible Research | €367 | €6,350 | 308 | Petrol | 169A4000 | Manual (5) | 2009–2015 |
| 1.3 JTD, 95 PS, 5-speed manual Research | €387 | €5,999 | 231 | Diesel | 312B1000 | Manual (5) | 2009–2015 |
| 0.9 8V, 86 PS, 5-speed manual Research | €339 | €4,990 | 157 | Petrol | 312A2000 | Manual (5) | 2010–2015 |
| 1.3 JTD, 75 PS, 5-speed manual Research | €367 | €4,900 | 155 | Diesel | 169A1000 | Manual (5) | 2007–2010 |
| 1.4 16V, 100 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €443 | €4,500 | 121 | Petrol | 169A3000 | Manual (6) | 2007–2013 |
| 1.2 8V, 69 PS, 5-speed automated manual Research | €371 | €6,999 | 86 | Petrol | 169A4000 | Automatisiertes Schaltgetriebe (5) | 2008–2015 |
| 0.9 8V, 86 PS, 5-speed manual, convertible Research | €340 | €4,999 | 65 | Petrol | 169A4000, 312A2000 | Manual (5) | 2010–2015 |
| 1.3 JTD, 95 PS, 5-speed manual, convertible Research | €388 | €6,500 | 60 | Diesel | 312B1000 | Manual (5) | 2009–2015 |
At a glance
- Years: built 2007 to 2024. The facelift came in 2015.
- Main risks: the Dualogic automated gearbox shifts slowly or jerks, and its pump and accumulator wear. The 0.9 TwinAir valve unit fails with age and old oil.
- Reliability: 2/5, because the Dualogic hydraulics and the TwinAir valve unit are costly to fix.
- DIY: 1/5, because gearbox, valve unit and timing belt work needs a workshop and fault-reading tools.
- Prefer: a manual car with service records. Avoid: a Dualogic car with slow, jerky or stuck shifts.
Engines and gearboxes
- 0.9 TwinAir petrol (85 to 105 PS, from 2010): the engine with the valve unit fault below.
- 1.2 FIRE petrol (69 PS): see the 1.2 FIRE guide. Its timing belt and water pump are due work, see below.
- 1.4 16V petrol (100 to 135 PS): no common fault confirmed.
- 1.3 Multijet diesel (55 or 70 kW): no common fault confirmed.
- 1.0 mild hybrid: no common fault confirmed.
- Manual gearbox: the clutch wears early on the 1.2.
- Dualogic automated gearbox: a single clutch moved by a hydraulic unit. Its shifting, pump and accumulator are the first issue below.
Known issues
| Issue | Affects | Typical km | Repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dualogic shifts, pump and accumulator | Dualogic automated gearbox | About 50,000 km (clutch rod wear) | Pump 980-1,450 EUR (Germany, year not stated) |
| Manual clutch wear | Manual gearbox, mainly 1.2 | Often under 60,000 km | Clutch kit 5,000-10,000 RUB (Russia, year not stated) |
| TwinAir valve unit and oil | 0.9 TwinAir petrol | About 150,000 km | Valve actuator 64,890 RUB (Russia, year not stated) |
| Timing belt and water pump | 1.2 FIRE petrol (169A4000) | Not stated | 450-750 EUR (Germany, year not stated) |
| Starter motor | 1.2 and 1.4 petrol | About 100,000 to 150,000 km | 220-340 EUR (Germany, year not stated) |
| Reverse switch recall | Built 29 March to 26 October 2023 | Not stated | Not stated |
Before you buy
- Drive off from rest and make several up-shifts. Shifts should be quick and smooth. Bad result: slow, late or jerky shifts, or the car stays in one gear.
- Look under the Dualogic gearbox for hydraulic fluid. Bad result: a wet unit or a leaking actuator (the part that moves the gears).
- Ask for the oil change records of the TwinAir. Bad result: no records, or oil that is not the approved grade. Old or wrong oil carbonises the valve solenoids.
- Let the TwinAir idle and listen. Bad result: rough idle, power loss or limp mode.
- Ask for proof that the 1.2 timing belt, rollers and water pump were changed. Bad result: no record. The job costs 450 to 750 EUR in Germany (year not stated).
- Ask when the starter was last changed. Bad result: never changed, with more than about 100,000 km. A new starter costs 220 to 340 EUR in Germany (year not stated).
- On a manual car, ask when the clutch was last changed. Bad result: no record and more than 60,000 km on the clock.
- Ask the dealer to check the VIN for open recalls, including the 2023 reverse switch (KBA 013545). Bad result: an open recall.
Running costs
| Operational | €158 |
|---|---|
| Workshop | €112 |
| Fixed costs (tax, insurance) | €96 |
| Total per month | €366 |
| New-car depreciation (not included) | €43 |
ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months
Market
Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.
- Listings
- 2,746
- 25th percentile
- €4,500
- Median price
- €5,550
- 75th percentile
- €6,800
- Median mileage
- 135,244 km
- Median first registration
- 2012
- Dealer share
- 75.5%
- Price at 100,000 km
- €6,297
To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.
In detail
Dualogic shifts, pump and accumulator
Dualogic is the automated gearbox. A single clutch is moved by a hydraulic unit with a pump and an accumulator (a pressure store). Leaks, a worn clutch or a weak accumulator cause slow, late or jerky shifts. The car can stay in one gear or drop out of gear into neutral while driving.
Clutch rod wear starts at about 50,000 km. A new pump costs 980 to 1,450 EUR, and a master cylinder with adaptation 480 to 720 EUR, in Germany (year not stated). A new accumulator costs 6,000 to 9,000 RUB in Russia (2021). A dealer's whole-unit replacement cost 213,000 RUB in Russia (year not stated).
Sources: Kfz-Meisterbetrieb Dietrich: Dualogic, Kolesa.ru: used Fiat 500 with mileage, Kolesa.ru: 5 reasons to buy or not, Motor-Talk: Dualogic drops to neutral
Manual clutch wear
On the 1.2 manual, the clutch often wears out before 60,000 km. A clutch kit costs 5,000 to 10,000 RUB in Russia (year not stated). The C514 manual gearbox had bearings with plastic cages until 2012. Its differential bearings wear to play at about 150,000 km.
In the US, a recall covers 2012 to 2016 manual Fiat 500s whose clutch diaphragm spring can break (NHTSA 16V302000).
Sources: Kolesa.ru: used Fiat 500 with mileage, Kolesa.ru: Fiat 500 for 600,000 RUB, DRIVE2: manual gearbox logbook
TwinAir valve unit and oil
The 0.9 TwinAir has a MultiAir valve unit. Oil pressure drives it, and one solenoid per cylinder regulates that pressure. Old or wrong oil carbonises the solenoid valves. Rough idle, power loss and limp mode follow. Sludge in the unit means repair or module replacement.
With frequent oil changes the unit is reliable to about 150,000 km. An original 0.9 valve control actuator costs 64,890 RUB in Russia (year not stated).
Sources: Kfz-Meisterbetrieb Dietrich: TwinAir and MultiAir, Kfz-Meisterbetrieb Dietrich: Fiat 500 typical problems, Kolesa.ru: used Fiat 500 with mileage
Timing belt and water pump
The 1.2 FIRE has a timing belt, not a chain. Change the belt together with its rollers and water pump. The garage price for the set is 450 to 750 EUR in Germany (year not stated).
Sources: Kfz-Meisterbetrieb Dietrich: Fiat 500 typical problems, Kolesa.ru: used Fiat 500 with mileage, FIAT Forum: Fiat 500 new cambelt and spark plugs
Starter motor
The starter brushes wear. Brush wear sets in at about 100,000 to 150,000 km on 1.2 and 1.4 petrol engines. A new Magneti Marelli starter costs 220 to 340 EUR in Germany (year not stated).
Sources: Kfz-Meisterbetrieb Dietrich: Fiat 500 typical problems, Kolesa.ru: used Fiat 500 body, leaks and starter
Reverse switch recall
Fiat 500 cars built 29 March to 26 October 2023 may have a faulty reverse switch on the gearbox. Then the reverse lights, rear camera and rear parking sensors may not work. A workshop checks whether the switch is from the faulty batch and replaces it if needed. Fiat estimates 15 to 30 minutes. KBA reference 013545 covers 2,048 cars in Germany.
Recalls
| Country | Code | Years | What is done |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | 013545 (KBA), 6748 (Fiat) | Built 29 March to 26 October 2023 | Workshop checks the reverse switch and replaces it if needed |
| United States | 16V302000 | 2012 to 2016, manual cars | Not stated. The clutch diaphragm spring can break |
Maintenance
- Engine oil (0.9 TwinAir): use the oil grade Fiat specifies and change it on time. Old or wrong oil carbonises the valve solenoids.
- Timing belt (1.2 FIRE): change the belt, rollers and water pump together, on the service schedule.
Sources
English
- FIAT Forum: Fiat 500 new cambelt and spark plugs
- NHTSA: recall data for the Fiat 500, model year 2013
German
- Kfz-Meisterbetrieb Dietrich: Fiat 500 typical problems
- Kfz-Meisterbetrieb Dietrich: Dualogic
- Kfz-Meisterbetrieb Dietrich: TwinAir and MultiAir
- Motor-Talk: Dualogic drops to neutral
- Auto Motor und Sport: Fiat reverse switch recall