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Photo: Harvey Bold, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Used Fiat 500 II: the buying guide

City car · 2007–2024 · Petrol, Hybrid

✓ 28 sources cited · updated on 13 October 2026

Buy with care
Reliability
3.5/5
Estimated monthly cost
€371/month
Indicative prices
€5,000 – €16,000

4 known faults

Photo: Harvey Bold, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Photo 1 of 4

Fiat 500 II, front three-quarter view

Photo: Harvey Bold, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Verdict

Buy with care

Small 4-seat city car with a 185 L boot, built from 2007 to 2024. Its safety has aged: only 3 stars in the Euro NCAP test of 2017. The most cited weak points are the Dualogic automated gearbox, the UniAir module of the 0.9 TwinAir, the thermostat housing of the 1.2 and the electric power steering. A well-maintained 1.2 or a 1.0 Hybrid with manual gearbox is the safest choice.

Reliability
3.5/5
Indicative prices
€5,000 – €16,000
Monthly cost
€371
Euro NCAP
3/5

Which version to choose

Versions to favour: 1.2 69, 1.0 Hybrid 70.

  • 1.2 69

    ✓ Recommended

    Petrol · Manual · 69 hp · 4.9 L/100 km · 115 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 2

    Four-cylinder 1.2 8-valve FIRE with 102 Nm, 0 to 100 km/h in 12.9 s. The most common engine on the used market; recommended with a manual gearbox and good servicing.

    Engine: Fiat 1.2 8V FIRE

    Verdict on this engine: Good choice, check first

  • 1.2 69 Dualogic

    Petrol · Automatic · 69 hp · Crit'Air 2

    Same engine with the Dualogic automated manual gearbox: test it thoroughly (see faults).

    Engine: Fiat 1.2 8V FIRE

    Verdict on this engine: Good choice, check first

  • 0.9 TwinAir 85

    Petrol · Manual · 85 hp · Crit'Air 2

    875 cc turbo twin-cylinder with 145 Nm, 0 to 100 km/h in 11 s. Livelier but more sensitive to servicing (UniAir module lubricated by engine oil).

    Engine: Fiat 0.9 TwinAir (turbo twin-cylinder MultiAir)

    Verdict on this engine: Buy with care

  • 0.9 TwinAir 85 Dualogic

    Petrol · Automatic · 85 hp · Crit'Air 2

    TwinAir twin-cylinder paired with the Dualogic automated gearbox: combines the two points of vigilance in the range.

    Engine: Fiat 0.9 TwinAir (turbo twin-cylinder MultiAir)

    Verdict on this engine: Buy with care

  • 1.0 Hybrid 70

    ✓ Recommended

    Hybrid · Manual · 70 hp · Crit'Air 2

    1.0 FireFly three-cylinder with 92 Nm and 12 V integrated starter-alternator (mild hybrid, no electric driving), 6-speed manual gearbox. Replaces the 1.2 from February 2020.

Market prices

€5,000 – €16,000

Indicative range: 2009 to 2024, yearly medians of 576 online listings collected by iAutos (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

Dualogic automated gearbox failures

Severity 2/3 · Costly

The Dualogic is a manual gearbox whose clutch and gear changes are driven by a hydraulic actuator. If the actuator, its position sensor or the hydraulic pressure weaken, the gearbox can jolt, refuse a gear or drop back into neutral, with a transmission fault message. Repair involves diagnosis and then the actuator or hydraulic circuit, which can be expensive. On forums, most complaints concern cars bought second-hand.

Versions
1.2 69 Dualogic, 0.9 TwinAir 85 Dualogic
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Misfires and faulty UniAir module (0.9 TwinAir)

Severity 2/3 · Costly

On the TwinAir twin-cylinder, the opening of the intake valves is controlled by the electro-hydraulic UniAir module, which runs on engine oil. Degraded oil or spaced-out oil changes can clog it: misfires (often when cold), unstable idle and an engine warning light. Owners also report ignition, turbo and oil consumption problems. Respecting oil change intervals and using the recommended oil is essential.

Versions
0.9 TwinAir 85, 0.9 TwinAir 85 Dualogic
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Electric power steering failure

Severity 2/3 · Costly

Electric steering assistance can cut out intermittently or permanently, with a dashboard warning light; the steering then becomes heavy. The cause is the torque sensor or the assist motor integrated into the steering column, which is often replaced as a single unit.

Versions
1.2 69, 1.2 69 Dualogic, 0.9 TwinAir 85, 0.9 TwinAir 85 Dualogic, 1.0 Hybrid 70
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Coolant leak from the thermostat housing (1.2)

Severity 1/3 · Annoying

On the 1.2 69 hp, the plastic thermostat housing is a known weak point: if it cracks, it causes a coolant leak. Left untreated, the leak can lead to overheating and damage to the cylinder head gasket.

Versions
1.2 69, 1.2 69 Dualogic
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

All faults by version and mileage →

Manufacturer recalls

See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Fiat 500”). 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

Monthly cost by item
Fuel or electricity€121
Insurance€97
Maintenance€33
Depreciation€120
Total per month€371

⚠ Estimates to treat with caution

  • NEDC consumption (older, more optimistic than WLTP) as no WLTP figure is published: fuel is probably slightly underestimated.
  • 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)€121

1.2 69 version: combined consumption of 4.9 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.

4.9 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €121

Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.

Insurance€97

Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.

Maintenance€33

Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.

Depreciation€120

Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.

Inspection checklist

Things to check

  • On a Dualogic: take a long test drive in town with starts, stops and reverse; refuse the car if it jolts, refuses a gear, drops into neutral or shows a transmission fault message.
  • Have the fault codes read at a diagnostic: a gearbox or steering fault that has been cleared can reappear.
  • On a 0.9 TwinAir: start with a cold engine and listen to the idle (no misfires), and require oil change invoices with the recommended oil.
  • On a 1.2: check the coolant level with a cold engine and look for traces of leaks around the thermostat housing.
  • Lock the steering fully in both directions when stationary and during manoeuvres: the assistance should be consistent, with no steering warning light.

Questions to ask the seller

  • Has the Dualogic gearbox (actuator or hydraulics) already been repaired? Do you have the invoices?
  • Do you have the service invoices with the oil changes and the oil reference used?
  • Have the thermostat housing or the power steering already been replaced?

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.

See OBD2 scanners on Amazon → (new tab)Partner link

Electric or hybrid equivalent

No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost

Alternatives

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0

Toyota Yaris

IV · since 2020

Excellent choice
Price
€15,900 – €22,000
Reliability
5/5
Fuel types
Hybrid

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0

Volkswagen Polo

VI · since 2017

Good choice, check first
Price
€10,000 – €20,300
Reliability
4.5/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel

Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de

Renault Clio

V · since 2019

Good choice
Price
€10,994 – €14,990
Reliability
4/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel, 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 Fiat 500 II (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 is the Euro NCAP rating of the Fiat 500?

Three stars in the 2017 test, which is the most recent: 66% for adult occupant protection, 49% for children, 53% for pedestrians and 27% for safety assist, due to the lack of autonomous emergency braking. It previously achieved five stars, under a less demanding protocol.

Should I avoid the Dualogic gearbox on a used Fiat 500?

It is the most cited source of complaints: jolts, refused gears or drops into neutral, often linked to the hydraulic actuator. A manual gearbox is more reassuring; a Dualogic should only be bought after a long test drive and with a service history.

What is the boot capacity of the Fiat 500?

185 litres for the saloon, which is approved for 4 seats.

Found a listing?

Soon, we will analyse your Fiat 500 listing: price, mileage, watch points.

Get notified at launch