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FIAT 500L (2018)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 990 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,505

£125/month

MOT Pass Rate

82%

Good

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1248cc Diesel

Solid Option

82% pass rate, £1505/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Diesel1248cc8 years old990 tests38k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1248cc)

~55 mpg

£905
Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£1,505
Per month£125/mo
Per week£29/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

82% 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, 82% of FIAT 500Ls from 2018 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 990 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 37,592 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2018 cars592th of 649(top 91%)
Rank among FIAT models448th of 818(top 55%)
vs national average+0%(82% avg)
vs 2018 cars average-7%(89% avg)
vs FIAT average-1%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

37,592

Average miles

vs

59,200

Expected for age

The average 2018 FIAT 500L has 37,592 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 2019 model with a 88% MOT pass rate, while the 2013 model has the lowest at 76%. The 2018 sits between the two at 82%.

FIAT 500L by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202179%18416,840 mi
202088%12122,275 mi
201988%23632,075 mi
201882%99037,592 mi
201779%1,48549,065 mi
201679%2,82154,453 mi
201578%5,30863,339 mi
201477%12,47276,146 mi
201376%7,59378,703 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 2018 FIAT 500L

The 2018 FIAT 500L is a small family car with a 1248cc diesel engine. 990 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 91% of 2018 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 37,592 miles at 8 years old, FIAT 500L owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2018 FIAT 500L Fuel Costs

The 1248cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 55 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £905 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2018 FIAT 500L?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,505 125/month), broken down as £905 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 82% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

FIAT 500L Reliability Trend

Newer FIAT 500Ls show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 6 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2018 FIAT 500L

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 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 88%.

Common Issues to Watch For

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

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

AdBlue System

Medium risk

Post-2015 diesels use AdBlue for emissions. Sensor failures and tank heater issues are common. Budget £200-£500 for repairs.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

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 500L stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
FIAT 500L(2018)82%£905£195Grp 8-20£1505
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2017)91%£905£190Grp 12-25£1350-£155
FORD FOCUS(2019)89%£905£190Grp 12-25£1500-£5
MERCEDES A(2019)91%£905£190Grp 12-25£1350-£155
MERCEDES A-CLASS(2017)88%£905£190Grp 12-25£1500-£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.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Fiat 500l.

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