Photo: Handelsgeselschaft, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Alexandre Prevot, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Alexandre Prevot, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
Sporty four-seat city car with a 1.4 T-Jet turbo engine producing 145 to 180 hp, sold as a three-door hatchback or as a convertible (595C). Thermal-engine production stopped in 2024. The most frequently cited weak points are the MTA robotised gearbox, the clutch and the turbo boost solenoid valve. It has never been tested by Euro NCAP. A manual-gearbox version with a complete service record is the safest choice.
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
- Indicative prices
- €12,980 – €18,395
- Monthly cost
- €433
- Euro NCAP
- Not tested
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: 595 Turismo 1.4 T-Jet 165, 595 Competizione 1.4 T-Jet 180.
595 1.4 T-Jet 145
Petrol · Manual · 145 hp · Crit'Air 2
1.4 T-Jet, 1,368 cm³, 145 hp and 206 Nm, five-speed manual gearbox. The entry level of the range.
595 Turismo 1.4 T-Jet 165
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Manual · 165 hp · Crit'Air 2
Same engine uprated to 165 hp (160 hp in the early years according to some sources), 230 Nm, five-speed manual gearbox. Also available as the 595C convertible and with the robotised gearbox.
595 Competizione 1.4 T-Jet 180
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Manual · 180 hp · 7.7 L/100 km · Crit'Air 2
The most powerful model in the regular range: 180 hp and 250 Nm, with an optional limited-slip differential. Five-speed manual gearbox. WLTP combined fuel consumption of 7.7 l/100 km (Auto-Data).
595 Competizione 1.4 T-Jet 180 robotisée
Petrol · Automatic · 180 hp · Crit'Air 2
Same engine with the MTA paddle-shift robotised gearbox, which is more demanding to drive and to maintain (see faults).
Market prices
€12,980 – €18,395
Indicative range: 2015 to 2022, yearly medians of 124 online listings collected by AutoUncle (years with at least 3 listings).
Collected on 20 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
MTA robotised gearbox failures
Severity 2/3 · CostlyThe MTA robotised gearbox (clutch and gear changes operated by a hydraulic actuator) is the most frequently cited weak point. Owners describe lock-ups, refusal to engage a gear, or a fault warning that comes on when a sensor is faulty or the fluid level is too low. An independent garage quotes between €1,800 and €3,000 for the repair, based on 12 cars: a very small sample.
- Versions
- 595 Competizione 1.4 T-Jet 180 robotisée
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- €1,800 to €3,000
Sources
- Fiat 500 Abarth : Fiabilité et Avis — Carverif (new tab)
- Les soucis rencontrés sur les 595 Abarth (500) — Forum Auto Caradisiac (new tab)
- Fiat Abarth 595 2019 - gearbox problem — Abarth Forum (new tab)
- MTA issues solved — Abarth Forum (new tab)
- Abarth 500 & 595 Common Problems — 5 Known Issues Before You Buy (2008-2023) — Carwise (new tab)
Clutch and flywheel wear
Severity 2/3 · CostlyThe clutch and flywheel sometimes wear out prematurely, especially in urban use; some owners also mention judder when cold. Opinions are divided: some report a clutch needing replacement before 60,000 km, while others have had no problems at all. The clutch hydraulics need regular fluid renewal.
- Versions
- 595 1.4 T-Jet 145, 595 Turismo 1.4 T-Jet 165, 595 Competizione 1.4 T-Jet 180, 595 Competizione 1.4 T-Jet 180 robotisée
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Sources
Clogged boost solenoid valve or worn turbo (1.4 T-Jet)
Severity 2/3 · CostlyOn the 1.4 T-Jet, the boost solenoid valve can become blocked by carbon build-up, causing the engine to switch to limp mode with a loss of boost pressure. Guides also cite turbo failures, linked to infrequent servicing, and recommend checking the oil-change history.
- Versions
- 595 1.4 T-Jet 145, 595 Turismo 1.4 T-Jet 165, 595 Competizione 1.4 T-Jet 180, 595 Competizione 1.4 T-Jet 180 robotisée
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Abarth 500 / 595 / 695”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Real monthly cost
Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated
| Fuel or electricity | €189 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €40 |
| Maintenance | €35 |
| Depreciation | €169 |
| Total per month | €433 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
- Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
- Fuel (petrol)€189
595 Competizione 1.4 T-Jet 180 version: combined consumption of 7.7 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
7.7 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €189
Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.
- Insurance€40
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€35
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€169
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Abarth 500 / 595 / 695 type 312 — inspection checklist
Things to check
- On an MTA: take a long test drive in town and from cold, including starts, stops and reverse; reject the car if there is any lock-up, gear refusal or gearbox warning light.
- Have the fault codes read with a diagnostic tool: a gearbox or turbo fault that has been cleared may come back.
- On a manual gearbox: check the bite point and make sure there is no judder or vibration from the clutch.
- Test at operating temperature under full load: a sudden loss of power can indicate that the boost system has gone into limp mode.
- Ask for the service invoices: regular oil changes and renewed clutch fluid.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have the clutch or the robotised gearbox already been replaced? Do you have the invoices?
- Has the engine ever gone into limp mode (loss of power), or has the turbo been changed?
- Do you have the complete service invoices, including the oil changes?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: Wikisympathisant, CC BY-SA 4.0
Mini Hatch
III (F55/F56, 2014-2024) · 2014–2024
- Price
- €9,500 – €26,000
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Electric
Photo: M 93, Public domain
Alfa Romeo MiTo
I · 2008–2018
- Price
- €4,500 – €9,400
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: Harvey Bold, CC BY 4.0
Fiat 500
II · 2007–2024
- Price
- €5,000 – €16,000
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Hybrid
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the Abarth 500 / 595 / 695 type 312 (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
What Euro NCAP rating does the Abarth 595 have?
None: according to Parkers, Euro NCAP has never tested the Abarth 595. The Fiat 500 it is based on received three stars in 2017, but that rating is not the Abarth's.
What is the boot capacity of the Abarth 595?
185 litres according to the Competizione road test, for a four-seat car.
What power outputs are available for the Abarth 595?
The 1.4 T-Jet is available in 145 hp, in 165 hp (Turismo; 160 hp depending on the year) and in 180 hp (Competizione). A 190 hp 695 Biposto, more competition-oriented, has also been presented.
Found a listing?
Soon, we will analyse your Abarth 500 / 595 / 695 listing: price, mileage, watch points.
Get notified at launch