Used Abarth 500 (2009-2024) buyer's guide: fast and fun if you can find the right one

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8 hours ago

There's nothing quite like an Abarth 500, in that this is a car with character that's fun to drive, raucous and fast. But compared with most of its rivals, it's cramped, and thanks to its unyielding suspension it's also uncomfortable. Depending on which exhaust system is fitted, it can also be extremely noisy. The Abarth 500 is definitely a car for enthusiasts who are willing to accept compromise, plus it looks brilliant and is sure to be a classic in years to come. The key is to buy an example that's been cherished and specified when new with some choice options. Do this and you'll have a keeper that, as long as it's reliable, will have you grinning like the Cheshire Cat. Advertisement - Article continues below
Back in the sixties, Britain's roads were teeming with Minis, and there was the Cooper for those who wanted a hot edition. In Italy it was the Fiat 500 that put the nation on wheels, and the sporting version was the Abarth, courtesy of independent tuner Carlo Abarth.
A few Abarth-tuned Fiat 500s reached the UK in the Swinging Sixties, but it wasn't until Fiat had acquired the company and launched it as a separate brand in 2008 that it became truly familiar to UK buyers. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below View Ibiza View Kuga View A-Class
Abarth's first cars here were the Punto and 500 hatchbacks, with the latter morphing into the 595 and much rarer 695 in subsequent years. For simplicity throughout this guide we'll simply call all Abarth 500 derivatives the '500', unless we're referring to a specific model.
The Abarth 500 reached the UK in spring 2009, with a 135bhp turbocharged 1.4-litre engine. Initially only a hatchback was available, but from July 2008 the 500C convertible went on sale, with a roll-back cloth roof and the same 135bhp 1.4-litre powerplant as the hard-top version.
At first all 500Cs came with a semi-automatic gearbox, but from June 2011 a five-speed manual transmission was available (a common bugbear with owners is that it's not a six-speed transmission). Then the 160bhp 1.4-litre 595 Turismo and Competizione arrived in August 2012, with manual or automatic transmissions. The 595 Competizione was given a power boost to 178bhp in May 2015. Advertisement - Article continues below
Fresh instrumentation was introduced in June 2014, while a standard touchscreen improved connectivity from spring 2019. The range was streamlined from December 2022, with buyers picking from the 163bhp 595 Turismo or Competizione versions, or the 178bhp 695 Competizione. These were offered in hatchback or convertible forms.
Despite an incredibly long production run, there have been no major developments in the range. All models have a turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol engine, so it's a question of choosing your preferred bodystyle, colour, power output and equipment levels.
But your choices are still bewildering because there were so many limited-run models, options and iterations that pinning down the detail of anything other than a standard car can be tricky. That also goes for kit levels, technical specification and power output, yet in most cases there will be either 160bhp or 178bhp on tap, although a 138bhp engine was available. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below
The Turismo is less hardcore than the Competizione, but neither version is especially comfortable on UK roads, due to the firm suspension. This can be really unyielding if combined with big wheels.
You can find your perfect used Abarth 595 or used Abarth 695 with our Find A Car service.
If you're looking for a pint-sized hot hatch that isn't an Abarth, the Volkswagen up! GTi should be at the top of your list, because it's brilliant to drive. But with prices starting at a hefty £13,000 for a 2020 example, you'll need deep pockets to buy one. Bigger and consequently a bit more practical is the MINI Cooper S, which (uniquely in this group) is also available in full convertible form. Advertisement - Article continues below
The Ford Fiesta ST is another brilliant small hatch that is plentiful on the used market and is cheap to buy; it's also more usable than the Abarth because it's bigger. The Suzuki Swift Sport is a low-key model that's fun to drive and reliable, while the Hyundai i20 N is another great hot hatch, but strong residuals make it pricey.
Suspension
Tired suspension is common; dampers, lower front ball joints and bushes wear quickly. Repairs aren't costly. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below
Packs
At launch the Esseesse pack offered 160bhp, better brakes and modified suspension. A 178bhp Esseesse joined the range in 2019.
Breakages
One of the biggest gripes is with the build quality, so check for loose or missing fittings, plus rattles that can't be tracked down.
Hardcore option
The 187bhp hardcore two-seat 695 Biposto from 2014 wasn't a limited edition, but with a £32k-£50k price tag when new, it's very rare.
Reliability
Abarth-specific reliability data is hard to come by, but the Fiat 500's is easier to track down. Last year the 500 came 49th out of 50 cars in our Driver Power survey, and 48th for reliability. It previously came 54th out of 75 for reliability, in our 2021 poll. That's not too reassuring, but using a good specialist can make all the difference.
As soon as you sit inside an Abarth you know that it's not just a humdrum small hatch. The seats are the most obvious clue to the 500's sporting intentions, and (depending on model) there are also aluminium pedals, Alcantara and brushed alloy trim. Advertisement - Article continues below
But the seats are set too high to feel truly sporting, and the lack of reach adjustment for the steering wheel is a bugbear. Also, for a halo model, the quality of some of the materials is disappointing. There's not a lot of rear-seat legroom and that isn't because there's a decent amount of boot capacity. Just 185 litres can be stowed, with the 500C getting an incredibly tight oven door-like opening.
There's no shortage of Abarths available via a private sale. The 595 is by far the most common derivative, in its various forms, while the 595C is much rarer. Prices rise for the rare and sought-after specials, such as the Biposto, Maserati and Tributo Ferrari. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below
Check the price of an Abarth 500 with our free car valuation tool...
The interval for the Abarth 500 is every 12 months or 9,000 miles, with services alternating between Minor and Major, at £199 and £304 respectively. You'll have to fork out another £70 every two years for fresh brake fluid, but the really big bill comes every six years or 75,000 miles, when the cambelt has to be replaced.
All Abarths have one of these, and a fresh water pump has to be fitted at the same time, pushing the bill up to £850 or so. It's also recommended that the air-con is regassed every three years, at around £75. Maintenance plans are available for all Abarths apart from the 695 Biposto. The standard warranty lasts for three years, but this can be extended for an extra cost.
Eleven recalls over such a long production span isn't as worrying as you might think, especially because many campaigns affected just a few cars. But some glitches were potentially serious, including the first in September 2010, where a bolt in the steering column could work loose, leading to steering failure. The next recall came a month later, because the wrong airbag could go off in the event of a crash.
Recall three was also because of steering failure, then came two campaigns due to wiring chafing, another because the door panels could cause injury in the event of a side impact, while seatbelt glitches led to a seventh action. Other potential problems included lighting failure, seats breaking loose in a collision, automatic-gearbox glitches and more steering issues.
Abarth doesn't sell many cars in the UK, so it doesn't figure in our Driver Power surveys, not even the Brands poll. But Fiat is listed, and this year it came a disappointing 31st out of 32 makers. More encouraging are the owners' opinions featured on CarBuyer.co.uk. Of the eight reviews posted, seven have five stars, but the eighth has just one star, thanks to disappointing reliability and poor customer care.
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