FIAT 500 (2021)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 195 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£1,587
£132/month
MOT Pass Rate
93%
Excellent
Road Tax
£195
Flat rate/year
Insurance
Grp 8-20
1242cc Petrol
Great Choice
93% pass rate, £1587/year to run. 11 points above average.
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Annual Running Costs
~42 mpg
Flat rate (post-2017)
Low estimate due to excellent reliability
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
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 11 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the FIAT brand average of 83%.
At 5 years old, 93% of FIAT 500s from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 195 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 18,379 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
18,379
Average miles
37,000
Expected for age
The average 2021 FIAT 500 has 18,379 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.
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FIAT 500 by Year
| Year | Pass Rate | Tests | Avg Mileage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 93% | 195 | 18,379 mi | |
| 2020 | 92% | 7,732 | 23,865 mi | |
| 2019 | 90% | 31,868 | 27,173 mi | |
| 2018 | 86% | 40,756 | 33,498 mi | |
| 2017 | 83% | 39,899 | 40,199 mi | |
| 2016 | 80% | 56,821 | 45,258 mi | |
| 2015 | 78% | 69,392 | 51,933 mi | |
| 2014 | 78% | 73,839 | 58,446 mi | |
| 2013 | 78% | 63,361 | 63,074 mi | |
| 2012 | 76% | 51,956 | 68,150 mi | |
| 2011 | 75% | 36,701 | 72,823 mi | |
| 2010 | 73% | 39,852 | 77,223 mi | |
| 2009 | 72% | 38,991 | 82,820 mi | |
| 2008 | 72% | 23,228 | 86,722 mi | |
| 2007 | 72% | 241 | 89,332 mi | |
| 2001 | 81% | 31 | 34,363 mi |
Similar Cars to Consider
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About the 2021 FIAT 500
The 2021 FIAT 500 is a small family car with a 1242cc petrol engine. 195 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model beats that benchmark.
With an average of 18,379 miles at 5 years old, FIAT 500 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.
2021 FIAT 500 Fuel Costs
The 1242cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).
What does it cost to own a 2021 FIAT 500?
Total estimated annual running cost is £1,587 (£132/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 93% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.
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 2021 FIAT 500
At 5 years old, the FIAT 500 offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 2021 FIAT 500's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Service History
Low riskAlways 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 2021 FIAT 500 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Insurance | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIAT 500(2021) | 93% | £1137 | £195 | Grp 8-20 | £1587 |
| FORD FIESTA(2019) | 91% | £955 | £190 | Grp 1-8 | £1400-£187 |
| VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2019) | 92% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 12-25 | £1582-£5 |
| VAUXHALL CORSA(2019) | 88% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 8-20 | £1732+£145 |
| NISSAN QASHQAI(2020) | 93% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 12-25 | £1582-£5 |
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.
FIAT 500X
2016 · 1598cc Petrol
FIAT PANDA
2009 · 1248cc Petrol
FIAT PUNTO
2007 · 1368cc Petrol
FORD FIESTA
2019 · 998cc Petrol
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
2019 · 1498cc Petrol
VAUXHALL CORSA
2019 · 1398cc Petrol
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