Before you buy a used Abarth 500 / 595 / 695.
Taken only from Testigo's sourced sheets. Use it to question the seller and on the test drive: it does not confirm that any particular car is affected.
The essentials.
- 1 documented, sourced fault for its engine.
- That is not much data: if no other faults show up here, it does not mean it has none.
- It only applies with certain equipment or production dates: ask what this car has.
- 2 official recalls on record: ask for the chassis number (VIN) and confirm they have been done.
Typical faults by engine
The period and mileage are those mentioned by each sheet's sources. They are not a maintenance interval and do not predict that any particular car will fail.
1.4 T-Jet
Petrol
- FIRE head gasket, belt and coilsCylinder head / timing / ignition
- Period mentioned
- 2000–2020
- Mileage mentioned
- 80,000–150,000 km
Applies if: The 1.4 T-Jet is the turbo version of the 16-valve FIRE 1.4.
Official recalls: ask before you pay
A recall existing does not mean this car is affected or that it is still outstanding: it depends on the chassis number, the market and the production date.
- Ask the seller for the chassis number (VIN): it has 17 characters, appears in the car's documents and can usually also be seen at the base of the windscreen.
- Ask an official Abarth dealer, or the brand's official website if it lets you check by chassis number, whether each recall has been done or is still outstanding for that VIN.
- Manufacturer recalls are normally carried out free of charge by the official service network. If one is outstanding, ask for it to be done before you close the sale.
Insufficiently tightened Abarth 500 steering-rod lock nutSuspension and steering
How to check it: Confirm VIN; check tightening and inspect/adjust alignment if corrected.
View full entryWater in the steering box of the March 2017 Fiat 500 and Abarth 500Suspension and steering
How to check it: Check by VIN at the dealer whether the car is in the campaign; if the steering gets stiff or catches, do not drive and call for assistance.
View full entryOn the test drive: what to look and listen for
Taken from each sheet's symptoms and checks. You can tick off what you have already looked at: it is saved only in this browser.
0 of 1 checked
Cylinder head / timing / ignition
Look out for: Coolant loss, white smoke or mayonnaise-like oil (head gasket); misfires and, if the ECU is damaged, the car will not start or cuts out.
Ask them to check: Check the coolant level and oil filler cap, check when the belt was last changed (also by age) and test the coils before they fail.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from these Testigo sheets and their original sources. Sources are not checked in real time.
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