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What to check: Fiat 500e (electric)

Ranked across all years of the Fiat 500e (electric), 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 8.4% of tests at age 3-5 · class average 0.3%

DampersLook 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 0.5% of tests at age 3-5 · class average 2.1%

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 14.9% of tests at age 3-5 · class average 16.6%

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 6.5% of tests at age 3-5 · class average 1.7%

Pads and discsLook 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 1.3% of tests at age 3-5 · class average 7.0%

Because of what owners report

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

Leave the car locked and unused for 20-30 minutes, then try a cold start.A slow crank, warning lights, or a screen that won't wake up points to the known weak 12V battery fault.

Play with the touchscreen: load the sat-nav, pair your phone over Bluetooth or CarPlay.Freezing, a map that won't load, or a dropped connection is the common infotainment glitch; ask if a software update has been done.

Ask the seller or check the service book for the two known 500e recalls: the HV battery terminal nut and the front half-shaft.If neither shows as completed, get it booked in before or just after purchase; both fixes are free but only if actually done.

Run an HPI or manufacturer VIN recall check independently of what the seller tells you.Sellers don't always know a recall exists, so don't rely on their word alone.

Check the MOT history for repeated suspension advisories.This model's measured MOT data shows suspension bush and joint wear well above average for the class, so a pattern of advisories here is worth a closer look on the day.

Ask how long the car has typically sat between drives, especially if it's been on a forecourt.Cars left standing longer are more likely to show the 12V no-start symptom, even if the main battery is fine.

Full Fiat 500e (electric) reliability report