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What to check: Abarth 595 / 695

CBy age

BBy miles

Ranked across all years of the Abarth 595 / 695, from its own MOT record and from what owners report. Tick it off at the car.

From this model's MOT record

The physical checks its own defect data says are worth your time, most telling first.

Bushes and ball jointsRuns high on this modelDrive slowly over broken tarmac with the windows down and listen for clonks from either end. Back at the car, have someone rock the steering wheel while you rest a hand on each front wheel; play you can feel through the tyre is a worn joint.Recorded on 11.4% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 5.9%

DampersRuns high on this modelLook for oil misting on the damper body behind each wheel, then push down hard on each corner of the car. It should settle in one bounce. A floaty or crashy ride on the test drive is the same fault felt from the driver's seat.Recorded on 8.7% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 2.3%

Coil springsRuns high on this modelLook through the wheel spokes at the bottom coil of each spring; when springs snap it is usually there, and the break is visible. Step back and check the car sits level too. A dropped corner is often a broken spring.Recorded on 4.1% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 1.3%

ExhaustRuns high on this modelListen along the exhaust at cold idle for blowing or chuffing, and give the tailpipe a push to check nothing hangs loose. Small blows only get louder.Recorded on 2.1% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.6%

Underneath, with a torchRuns high on this modelGet down and look at the sills, the subframes and the rear suspension mounting points. Flaking scale and bubbling matter; light surface rust does not. On older cars this is the one check that finds the fault that scraps them.Recorded on 1.5% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.6%

WheelsRuns high on this modelLook at each rim for kerb damage and check no wheel nuts are missing. A steering wheel that shimmies between 50 and 60 on the test drive often turns out to be a buckled or badly balanced wheel.Recorded on 1.4% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.6%

Warning lights on ignitionRuns high on this modelTurn the ignition on without starting the engine and watch the dash. Every warning light should appear, then go out once it is running. Be more suspicious of a light that never comes on at all than of one that stays on; warning bulbs have been known to vanish before a sale.Recorded on 1.3% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.5%

Worth doing on any used car

These judge the seller's upkeep rather than the model.

Tyres, all fourCheck the tread across the full width of each tyre, inner edge included, and look for cracking and mismatched brands. A set of decent tyres is £500 or more on most cars, which makes this the easiest money to take off a price. If the pressure warning light is on, budget for sensors too.Recorded on 23.6% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 20.1%

Pads and discsRuns high on this modelLook through the wheel spokes at the brake disc. A pronounced lip on its outer edge, or a rusty and scored face, means discs and pads are due all round, a few hundred pounds on most cars. A haggling point rather than a reason to walk away.Recorded on 23.3% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 10.1%

Windscreen and wipersRuns high on this modelScan the glass in daylight for chips, especially in the driver's line of sight where even a small one can fail the MOT. Run the washers and check the wipers clear without smearing.Recorded on 1.6% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.8%

Because of what owners report

Drawn from the owner reports rather than the MOT data. These are the model-specific ones.

Drive it in stop-start traffic if it's an MTA/Dualogic automated car.Jerky, hesitant take-up or harsh, delayed changes means the clutch actuator is wearing out.

Listen for creaks or knocks from the rear over speed bumps and look under the car at the torsion beam.Noise plus surface corrosion or flaking underseal points at the suspension wear showing up in this model's MOT data.

Open and shut the tailgate a few times with the ignition on, watching the dash.A flickering speedo, indicators or brake lights means the tailgate wiring loom is on its way out.

Ask for the full service history and confirm the cambelt and water pump were changed on schedule.No proof of a belt change on a car this age is a real risk, this engine bends its valves if the belt lets go.

Start it cold and pull away, watching for hesitation, limp mode or a flickering check-engine light.Matches this model's recurring sudden power loss complaints, some of which have ended in a full engine replacement.

Pull the oil filler cap and check for sludge or a mayonnaise-like residue.Points to short-journey use and possible oil starvation wear, disputed but worth checking.

Try the infotainment: pair a phone over Bluetooth, plug in a USB, watch the screen for freezing.A dead or unresponsive Blue&Me/Uconnect unit is a common complaint that usually needs a dealer reset.

Full Abarth 595 / 695 reliability report