CarCostCheck

FIAT 500 (2018)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 40,756 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,555

£130/month

MOT Pass Rate

86%

Good

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 1-8

875cc Petrol

Solid Option

86% pass rate, £1555/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol875cc8 years old40,756 tests33k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 875cc)

~50 mpg

£955
Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£1,555
Per month£130/mo
Per week£30/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

86% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 8 years old, 86% of FIAT 500s from 2018 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 40,756 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 33,498 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2018 cars499th of 649(top 77%)
Rank among FIAT models372th of 818(top 45%)
vs national average+4%(82% avg)
vs 2018 cars average-3%(89% avg)
vs FIAT average+3%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

33,498

Average miles

vs

59,200

Expected for age

The average 2018 FIAT 500 has 33,498 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2021 model with a 93% MOT pass rate, while the 2007 model has the lowest at 72%. The 2018 sits between the two at 86%.

FIAT 500 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202193%19518,379 mi
202092%7,73223,865 mi
201990%31,86827,173 mi
201886%40,75633,498 mi
201783%39,89940,199 mi
201680%56,82145,258 mi
201578%69,39251,933 mi
201478%73,83958,446 mi
201378%63,36163,074 mi
201276%51,95668,150 mi
201175%36,70172,823 mi
201073%39,85277,223 mi
200972%38,99182,820 mi
200872%23,22886,722 mi
200772%24189,332 mi
200181%3134,363 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 2018 FIAT 500

The 2018 FIAT 500 is a city car with a 875cc petrol engine. 40,756 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 77% of 2018 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 33,498 miles at 8 years old, FIAT 500 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2018 FIAT 500 Fuel Costs

The modest 875cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £955 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2018 FIAT 500?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,555 130/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 86% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

FIAT 500 Reliability Trend

Newer FIAT 500s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 11 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2018 FIAT 500

At 8 years old, this is a solid used buy if you find one with good service history. Depreciation has levelled off, so you won't lose much more value. Focus on condition over mileage. If you're flexible on year, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 93%. With 40,756 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2018 FIAT 500's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Coil Pack Failure

Medium risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

Suspension Wear

Medium risk

Shock absorbers, springs, and anti-roll bar links typically need attention around this age. Listen for clunks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2018 FIAT 500 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
FIAT 500(2018)86%£955£195Grp 1-8£1555
FORD FIESTA(2016)81%£955£30Grp 1-8£1390-£165
NISSAN QASHQAI(2017)86%£955£190Grp 5-15£1550-£5
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2016)85%£955£30Grp 1-8£1390-£165
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2016)84%£955£30Grp 5-15£1390-£165

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Fiat Models

Explore other Fiat cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Fiat 500.

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