Fiat 500 C (2009)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 820 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,153

£179/month

MOT Pass Rate

70%

Average

Road Tax

£200

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 8-20

1242cc Petrol

Check Carefully

70% pass rate, £2,153/year to run. 12 points below average.

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Petrol1242cc17 years old820 tests76k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1242cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,153

Per month£179/mo

Per week£41/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

70% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 12 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Fiat brand average of 83%.

70% of MOT tests on Fiat 500 Cs from 2009 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 15 years old. That's based on 820 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 76,306 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2009 models464th of 555(bottom 17%)

Rank among Fiat models674th of 788(bottom 15%)

vs average of all models-12%(82% avg)

vs 2009 models average-4%(74% avg)

vs Fiat average-13%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

76,306

Average miles

111,000

Expected for age

The average 2009 Fiat 500 C had 76,306 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 111,000 miles for a 15-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?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2014 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 81%, while the 2009 model has the lowest at 70%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Fiat 500 C by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2014	81%	1,150	52,168 mi
2013	77%	1,020	58,419 mi
2012	77%	1,530	67,489 mi
2011	75%	2,663	69,507 mi
2010	73%	1,338	72,257 mi
2009	70%	820	76,306 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Focus

2011 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

75%

+5%

Vauxhall Corsa

2011 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,153/year

75%

+5%

Ford Fiesta

2008 · 1388cc Petrol

£2,153/year

72%

+2%

Volkswagen Polo

2011 · 1198cc Petrol

£1,900/year

75%

+5%

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About the 2009 Fiat 500 C

The 2009 Fiat 500 C is a small family car. Our records list a 1242cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 820 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 17% of 2009 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 76,306 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Fiat 500 C owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2009 Fiat 500 C 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 £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2009 Fiat 500 C?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,153 (£179/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 70% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Fiat 500 C Reliability Trend

Newer Fiat 500 Cs pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 6 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2009 Fiat 500 C

At 17 years old, the Fiat 500 C is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

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 2009 Fiat 500 C stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Fiat 500 C(2009)	70%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153
Ford Focus(2011)	75%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228+£75
Vauxhall Corsa(2011)	75%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153same
Ford Fiesta(2008)	72%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153same
Volkswagen Polo(2011)	75%	£1,175	£170	Grp 5-15	£1,900-£253

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2009 Fiat 500 C

Is the 2009 Fiat 500 C reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 70% of MOT tests on 2009 Fiat 500 Cs ended in a pass, from 820 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 12 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2009 Fiat 500 C cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,153 a year (£179 a month): £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2009 Fiat 500 C?

70% of 820 MOT tests on the 2009 Fiat 500 C ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 464th of 555 models first registered in 2009 (bottom 17%).

Which year Fiat 500 C has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2014 Fiat 500 C has the highest MOT pass rate at 81% and the 2009 the lowest at 70%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2009 Fiat 500 C?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2009 Fiat 500 C is 76,306 miles, which is below the expected 111,000 miles for a 15-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.