Fiat 500 - Yes it's cute but is it as BAD as they say? | ReDriven used car review

Talk about one-of-a-kind!

This week, ReDriven turn their attention to the Fiat 500, the (not very) Italian city car that's been capturing the hearts of many since the first iteration in the late 1950s.

This latest iteration has been around for over 10 years now, so how is it holding up?

Let us know what you think of the Fiat in the comments and while you're there, be sure to hit subscribe to stay up to date with all our latest content.

00:00​​ - Intro
00:55 - What is it?
02:53 - Does it look good?
05:09​​ - How's the interior?
07:46 - How's the tech?
08:36 - Is it practical?
09:40 - What goes wrong?
11:14 - Is it safe?
11:35 - What's it like to drive?
13:53 - How much does it cost?
14:25 - Running costs?
15:05 - Should you buy it?

#fiat
#500
#smallcar

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At ReDriven, we’ll be taking you through the pros and cons of a huge range of used cars to see how well they’re going now that they’re a few years old, have thousands of kilometres on the clock, and are coming toward the end of their warranty, or maybe don’t have one at all.

Plus, thanks to our resident mechanic, Jim, you’ll find out what commonly goes wrong with them and what might need to be fixed.

Most importantly, we want to make ReDriven a voice for the most in-the-know used car experts there are...you guys.. See, you’re the ones that actually buy, live with, love and sometimes unfortunately hate the cars we’ll be reviewing.

So we want to hear your thoughts. Hit us up in the comments, or on Instagram and Facebook.

We’d love nothing more than for you to give us as much feedback as possible, so we can make this channel the best it can be.

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[thuycustomclothier]

I had the 2000 Toyota RAV4 (for 19 years!) and it was a great and reliable car, and when the FIAT500 came to the US, I became obsessed. Every time I saw a FIAT500, I was like a distracted dog that sees a squirrel. But, I couldn't justify buying a car while I had my very reliable Toyota. Well, the universe intervened in the way of a tow truck smashing into me (no physical injuries to myself!) and totaled my beloved RAV4 (the older model before they got too ridiculously big). I got a decent amount from their insurance company and started looking for a used vehicle that I could afford. I kept looking at FIATs, but I also looked at practical cars, like other Toyotas, etc. Finally, my brother reminded me how much I loved the FIAT500 and so I made up my mind and found the FIATlove of my life in a used 2014 500 Sport in the verde azzurro in 2019. It had about 50k miles and so clean. Since then, I've gotten new tires, rotors, and tinted windows and now have more than 100k miles on it. I have driven it from California up to Oregon several times, out to Las Vegas and Joshua Tree, and so many road trips around California (I live in the SF Bay Area) and it is such a fun car to drive! Zippy! I take it in for regular check ups and oil changes, and it has done very well. I love my FIAT500 so much so that I fall in love with it every time I see it. It's true, the media console is so outdated and the buttons have faded, and the body paint does chip off easily. Since I park in the street, my back bumper has gotten a lot of scratches, which I will have to repair at some point, and the front got a small crack from a careless driver backing into it (city living, parking in-between larger vehicles that don't see your little FIAT is always a risk for some bumper scrapes). I've had it for 3 years now and so far just the above replacements, knock knock on wood. ...meep meep. Thanks for this video!

[ponies_with_scarves]

Got to drive a 500 as a loaner from a garage, fell in love with it, it’s so fun and quirky to drive. Legitimately considering one.

[Paul_Lenard_Ewing]

I have a 2015 entry level 500 with 160, 000 km and have had no serious issues. On average it has cost me about $800.00 USD a year to repair and maintain. after 6 years i still get a smile when I walk over to it in the morning. It literally handles like an old school sports car with very fast acceleration to move in, out and around other vehicles in city traffic. It is indeed fun to drive and that novelty Never wears off. I am now 75 and retired on a tiny pension. If I was younger and working I would buy another one.

[jamesmilne]

My wife bought one last year and I followed suit 4 months later as I absolutely fell in love with the car. Got rid of my big Trailblazer and now with fuel prices so high, I am very thankful the 500 saved the day

[franciscovarela]

Accurate review. I got one in 2014 for city and relatively short highway driving. Never had a mechanical problem (has pseudo automatic trans. ) and the fit and finish has held up very well. Lots of fun to drive, especially on windy mountain roads and love the shape of the thing. Not a car if you want to go fast - except Abarth models - or have kids or use for long distance driving. My dealer’s service department is very good.

[laiqrefai]

My daughter has 500e for five years now and has no issues, I bought a used 500 pop model 2017 four months ago and it runs great I love it.

[billwilson]

I’ve owned my Fiat 500 Sport 2012 since new and it recently turned 158, 000 kms with very few issues. It has a six speed automatic which performed very well especially when I hit the Sport mode button. Greetings from Canada 🇨🇦

[CanalUnoMx]

I owned a 2012 Fiat 500 for 4 years with no issues whatsoever. Fantastic, fun little city car with awesome looks and great to daily drive around town.

[lantaguy]

I'm in the US, bought a 2014 Fiat 500 Pop 8 years ago, and have had no issues, including the ones you've mentioned. It still looks new. I did replace all 4 tires after 7 years & 35, 000 miles. I get lots of looks and compliments on it. I LOVE IT!!

[chunglee]

Bought new in 2013 lounge..
Now it has 211500 miles.
0 engine issues
0 tranny issues.
Still runs strong
Paints still look new…

Problems
1. Armrest it broked
2. Door handle broked one time
3. Head light bulbs, replace evey year.

Change my oil every 7K with mobile 1.
Tranny fluid chaged 1 time at 120K
Changed air filter same time as oil service.
All Oil service was done by me.
Used oem filters.

[ramblergarage]

Had a 500c for 10 years No problems so far.

[BeckyHollandFuller]

I have a 2012 Fiat 500c Pop with over 205, 000 miles on it (I'm in the US, so miles). I have loved my car since day one. I've had a couple repairs along the way, but what car with 205k miles hasn't? There hasn't been anything outrageous. I have had issues with aftermarket alternators, but I got the lifetime warranty on the first one, so when they failed it was fixed quickly and free. I can confirm that the door handles had to be replaced once, after a mechanic manhandled it and ripped one all the way off and one halfway... obviously I didn't pay for that repair, since I brought it in with functioning door handles and I've never had an issue with them. My car has been kept outside in the Chicago area (lots of snow) for most of the time I've owned it. I drive about 100 miles per day and this has been a fun, reliable, extremely fuel efficient car. We have road tripped around the country and it handled mountains like a champ. The only thing I would ever consider replacing it with is an electric vehicle.

[scottdefrese]

I have a 2012 500c Pop. No issues real mechanical issues so far. There are no squeaks or rattles. I live in Anchorage Alaska and in the winter this car handles the icy roads well if the roads are PLOWED. The ground clearance is 4.1". Also I took the back seat out and installed a flat kit that matches the carpeting and interior flawlessly. It looks like I bought a 2-seater with a cavernous trunk. I love the car.

[nl]

Bought a Fiat 500 yesterday - really looking forward to making my own hopefully good experiences.

[multirotormanish]

Nice review! I just bought a 1 owner 5-speed manual Fiat 500 Pop with 58K and no accidents. Have always loved the look of the Fiat 500. Love it!!!

[Bryn]

Being a mot tester In the UK, they suffer from rear axle corroding at the coil spring seat and in some cases the spring falls out. Also rear shock absorbers top bushes wear out and front suspension arm bushes wear out and the arms end up sitting on the sub frame causing a knock .

[elchefreedom]

Got a 2018 500e, perfect for even the coldest/hottest morning/afternoon commute of 40 miles. Can use heat and ac as needed. Costs nothing to charge. Amazing, cheapest vehicle I’ve ever owned (over 30 cars and counting). Most fun to drive, too.🤙🏽

[jesuseriverapabon]

I’m thinking on buying one and I feel everything is depending on how you treat and maintain your car. As long as you take care of him, he will take care of him. Thanks for the video

[clareodwyer]

I love my 2013 Fiat 500. I bought it for $8k in 2021 with 85k Kms. It has a full service history. I’ve put another 12k kms on the clock. Long road trips - a pleasure! Loads of room inside for a single person getaway. I can pack my camping gear and mountain bike in the back.
Can’t find a roof rack for it! Suspension is needing attention, so pot holes scare me. But this adds to the fun of driving it.
I live a 2 hour drive from the beach, with a fuel cost of $10 to get there. This car is awesome!! ( just wish I could put a rack on it for a bike, kayak or surfboard).

[craftingwithcharm]

In 2016 I bought my 2015 Fiat 500 POP it was new used & it is still running like a champ! It does have minor paint chips & scratches on it & the seatbelt is a lil bit awkward the way it’s positioned a lil too far behind you but I’m so used to it now it doesn’t bother me. The inside still looks amazing. I get compliments on it quite often even still to this day. I absolutely love love love my little Fiat it is so adorable! It’s paid off & it’s mine & I plan on keeping it forever! ❤