Before you buy a used Fiat 500X.
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.
- 3 documented, sourced faults across its 3 engines.
- 2 of them depend on the equipment or the production date: ask what this car has.
- 1 official recall on record: ask for the chassis number (VIN) and confirm it has been done.
- According to the data we have, the engines with the fewest documented faults are: 1.0 / 1.3 FireFly (Petrol), 1.6 / 2.0 Multijet (Diesel).
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.
All versions
Sheets the catalogue links to all 3 of its engines.
- Won't start in frost because of frozen water in the silencer (500X, Renegade and Compass)Exhaust and emissions
- Period mentioned
- 2015–2020
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
Applies if: Only cars built up to 21/2/2020 without a drain hole in the silencer.
- Period mentioned
- 2014 onwards
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
Applies if: Weak points of this model from inspections, breakdown statistics and recalls; anything specific to one engine is stated in the sheet.
1.4 MultiAir
Petrol
- MultiAir actuator starved of oil pressureValvetrain (MultiAir actuator)
- Period mentioned
- 2009–2024
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
1.0 / 1.3 FireFly · 1.6 / 2.0 Multijet
1.0 / 1.3 FireFly (Petrol) · 1.6 / 2.0 Multijet (Diesel)
We have no faults specific to this engine, only those common to every version.
Which engine has the fewest documented faults?
| Engine | Documented faults | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1.4 MultiAirPetrol | 32 with conditions | 0 |
| 1.0 / 1.3 FireFlyPetrolFewest documented | 22 with conditions | 1 |
| 1.6 / 2.0 MultijetDieselFewest documented | 22 with conditions | 1 |
According to the data we have, the engines with the fewest documented faults are: 1.0 / 1.3 FireFly (Petrol), 1.6 / 2.0 Multijet (Diesel).
By fuel type, the one with the fewest documented faults is: Diesel.
We only count the sourced sheets we have. An engine with fewer is not guaranteed to be more reliable: it may have been studied less or sold in smaller numbers.
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 Fiat 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.
Non-compliant 500X airbag-control softwareBrakes and safety
Engines: 1.0 / 1.3 FireFly (Petrol) · 1.6 / 2.0 Multijet (Diesel)
How to check it: Confirm VIN and update airbag-control software.
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 3 checked
Valvetrain (MultiAir actuator)
Look out for: Hard or rough cold starts, hesitation, stalling and an engine light with P1523 (low oil pressure in the MultiAir system).
Ask them to check: Change the oil and filter with the correct specification, inspect the MultiAir mesh filter and measure oil pressure before replacing the actuator.
Exhaust and emissions
Look out for: Below freezing the starter turns but the engine does not start; on days without frost it starts fine. More likely after short trips.
Ask them to check: Ask the garage about bulletin 09-004-20 and whether the silencer already has the drain hole; until then, avoid leaving the car outside in frost right after a very short trip.
Known weak points
Look out for: A turbo that often fails on the 1.4 MultiAir; oil dilution and carbon build-up on the direct-injection petrols, even at low mileage; on the Multijets, particulate filter, dual-mass flywheel, turbo, EGR and injectors at high mileage; failing tail lights, electronic faults, squealing brakes and poor build quality in early years.
Ask them to check: Check the campaigns by VIN; on the MultiAir, listen to the turbo; check the tail lights and electronics.
OBD codes worth looking for
If they let you read the fault memory with an OBD reader, these are the codes mentioned in this model's sheets:
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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