The Fiat 500 is the retro-styled city car you recognise at a glance. It suits town driving, short trips and young drivers who want a car that is easy to park. With three doors, occasional rear seats and a small boot, it works as a second car rather than a family car. The 500C adds a fabric roof that opens.
The combustion-engined 500 was launched in 2007 and facelifted in 2015. Used, you will mostly find the 1.2 petrol, the small two-cylinder TwinAir and, since 2020, the 1.0 mild hybrid. Some versions have the Dualogic automated manual gearbox: try it in town, in traffic and when manoeuvring, to see whether you like how it behaves.
What to check before buying
- A Car-Pass less than two months old, verified by QR code: many 500s are a few years old with low mileage, so make sure the history adds up.
- Wear on tyres, brakes and clutch, typical of city use.
- The condition of the roof on a 500C, and no damp in the cabin.
- An insurance quote if the car is for a young driver.
The electric 500e (since 2020) is a different car: new platform, different use. If it appeals to you, look above all at the battery health on the Car-Pass and whether you can charge at home.