Used Fiat 500 for sale: everything you need to know
The Fiat 500 is a familiar shape on UK roads, and not just because it’s designed to evoke a car that came out all the way back in 1957. In fact, the current 500 has been around since 2007 itself, and still has a few years left in it. While Fiat has updated the car several times since launch, it’s still fundamentally the same retro small car it’s always been.
It’s undoubtedly getting on a bit and therefore no longer competitive in certain areas, not least a middling three-star Euro NCAP safety rating, but the model is easy to drive across the board, and all models are economical too, though some more than others. It’s short on rear seat space too, but then it’s a small car - and few small cars are as stylish, even all these years on.
Should you buy a Fiat 500?
The 500 might be quite old by now but it’s still one of the most stylish and affordable small cars you’ll find. It’s affordable to buy, obviously - not least because the earliest cars are now well over 15 years old and available for just a couple of grand - but with a lineup of small and frugal engines, low insurance ratings and modest tax bills, it shouldn’t cost much to run either.
There have been several engine options over the years, from simple 1.2-litre petrols, to the tiny 0.9-litre two-cylinder TwinAir, through fuel-sipping diesels, to the more recent 1-litre hybrids. Performance and driveability varies quite a bit, as does outright fuel economy, but none have to work too hard to move around the 500’s modest weight, and most are quite good fun to stir along, helped by the snappy dashboard-mounted gearshift.
Handling isn’t as fun as you’ll find in a MINI, but at the 500’s size it can’t help but be nimble. Being small also makes it a doddle to park or drive around town. It’s less adept on the motorway, but the more powerful models still get along well enough, and the short length does impact rear seat space and boot size - but again, you can’t expect too much from a city car. Later models are better equipped than earlier ones (a touchscreen became standard half way through the car’s life), but all but the most basic cars come with air conditioning.
The 500’s style won’t appeal to everyone, but there’s plenty of choice of alternative small cars with a more subtle look. The Volkswagen Up, Skoda Citigo and SEAT Mii trio is one (you’ll find these more spacious than the 500), and the Citroen C1, Peugeot 108 and Toyota Aygo trio another (with slightly more engaging handling). If you like retro but not Fiat’s take on it, then the MINI hatchback is the obvious answer.
What’s the best used Fiat 500 model to buy?
No single model really stands out in the 500 range. Early 1.2 and 1.4-litre engines don’t seem particularly modern compared to later turbocharged cars and hybrids, but have an enthusiastic character and still comfortably return economy in the 40-50mpg range. The later TwinAir has a funky exhaust note and is cheap to tax, but is actually no more frugal, while the 1.3-litre diesels are absurdly economical, but may fall foul of city centre emission zones. In later cars, you’re restricted to the hybrid, which is nothing special to drive but is smooth and frugal.
Unless you need an automatic, steer clear of the Dualogic, which isn’t particularly smooth or responsive. And as for trim levels, take your pick - we’d find something with at least air conditioning and a touchscreen infotainment display, but otherwise, it’s more about finding something in your preferred colour and interior trim combination.
Used Fiat 500 fuel economy and performance
- Fiat 500 1.0L Hybrid: The only engine offered since 2020 is a 1-litre three-cylinder petrol with mild hybrid assistance. It’s good for 70PS, and with a six-speed manual gearbox gets from 0-62mph in 13.8 seconds. Claimed combined economy is up to 61.4mpg.
- Fiat 500 1.2L: For a long time, the entry-level engine was a 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol, putting out 69PS through a five-speed manual or five-speed Dualogic automatic. It’s actually a touch quicker than the mild hybrid with a 12.9-second 0-62mph time, and on-paper economy isn’t far behind either, at 57.6mpg.
- Fiat 500 1.4L: The naturally-aspirated 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol in earlier 500s made 100PS, with a standard six-speed manual gearbox. 0-62mph came up in 10.5 seconds, while combined economy was quoted at 46mpg.
- Fiat 500 Twinair: Fiat sold its 0.9-litre two-cylinder TwinAir in 85 and 105PS formats. The former came with a five-speed gearbox, the latter with a six-speed, with a 0-62mph time in 10.5 seconds for the 105PS car. Fiat claimed up to 67mpg, though real-world economy lags behind this somewhat.
- Fiat 500 1.3L Multijet: Earlier 500s offered a 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine with a headline economy figure of 67mpg. It produced 75PS, and could get from 0-62mph in 12.5 seconds.
What used Fiat 500 trim levels are available?
The 500 has been offered in a quite bewildering number of trim levels over the years, so we’ve only covered a small selection below on the basis you probably don’t have all day to read this. Equipment levels don’t change hugely from model to model, but generally entry-level cars lack some of the connectivity features of others, and come in slightly less vibrant colour schemes. As well as standard trim levels, there have been numerous special editions over the years too, usually with their own colour and interior trim combinations.
- Fiat 500 Pop: The Pop served as the entry-level car for much of the 500’s time on sale (though current entry-level 500s have no trim name). It covers all the basics such as air conditioning, at least in later models, but lacks the smartphone connectivity of higher spec models and some may not have alloy wheels.
- Fiat 500 Dolcevita: Stepping up from the Pop the Dolcevita gets more style and convenience features, plus a larger touchscreen with the latest smartphone connectivity.
- Fiat 500 Dolcevita Plus: This trim level builds on the Dolcevita with some upmarket equipment and style features.
- Fiat 500 Red: This special edition trim with a Red theme, sold for a couple of years, an example of the huge number of special edition 500s. As well as bright red paint you get red interior details, plus a long list of standard equipment.
Used Fiat 500 dimensions and boot size
The Fiat 500’s exterior dimensions are:
- Length: 3571mm
- Width: 1627mm
- Height: 1488mm
- Ground clearance: 105mm
The Fiat 500’s boot size is:
- 185 litres
- 550 litres with rear seats folded
Used Fiat 500 road tax
Prior to April 2017, taxing your car is based on CO2 emissions, and this means that certain early 500s won’t cost you a penny to tax - the TwinAir and diesel models come in under 100g/km so are currently tax free. Since April 2017, there’s been a flat rate in place, meaning most 500s will set you back £190 per year, while the hybrids are £10 cheaper.
How much is it to insure a Fiat 500?
Current models with no trim level to their name begin in group 10, which is for the Hybrid model, and slightly higher-spec Top models are no more expensive. An earlier Pop with the Hybrid engine is only group 8, or group 7 for an even earlier 1.2-litre car in Pop trim, while the TwinAir is group 11 again in Pop trim. Special editions vary - a Vintage ‘57 is group 13 with the TwinAir engine, and the rare Riva is group 14.
