Fiat 500L reliability, MPG and running costs
Figures updated
The Fiat 500L is a mpv / people carrier. In 2024 MOT tests it scored 77 for reliability (100 is average), ranking 406 of 442, and 36.3% failed first time against a UK average of 28.5%. Its most common MOT failure is coil spring (5.9% of tests).
Ranked 406 of 442 cars in the 2024 MOT Reliability League, and 18 of 20 people carriers
In 2024, 17,414 Fiat 500Ls aged 3 to 20 had an MOT and 36.3% failed first time (UK average 28.5%). Taking age and mileage into account, the Fiat 500L is 30% more likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage.
First-time fail rate
36.3%
UK 28.5%
Fail rate at 3 years
–
UK 12.7%
Average miles a year
7,400
Typical age at test: 9 years
Fiat 500L MOT failure rate by age
Most common Fiat 500L MOT faults
- Coil spring: fractured or broken5.9% of tests
- Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn5.2% of tests
- Stop lamp: not working3.9% of tests
- Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.3% of tests
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.0% of tests
- Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.3% of tests
What the Fiat 500L fails on
| Area | Tests failing | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 13.3% | ▲ 1.6× as often |
| Lights and electrics | 11.6% | ▲ 1.2× as often |
| Brakes | 8.3% | ▲ 1.4× as often |
| Tyres | 7.1% | About average |
| Visibility | 4.5% | About average |
| Steering | 4.4% | ▲ 2.2× as often |
| Exhaust and emissions | 3.9% | ▲ 1.5× as often |
| Body and structure | 2.6% | About average |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.3% | ▲ 2.1× as often |
| Wheels | 0.1% | ▼ 87% less often |
What MPG does the Fiat 500L do?
Official economy for the Fiat 500L ranges from 38.7 to 72.4mpg across the 32 versions listed by the Vehicle Certification Agency (2013–2021). A typical petrol version manages 42.2mpg and a typical diesel 67.3mpg. Expect 10–15% less in real-world driving.
Work out a journey's fuel costHow much is road tax on a Fiat 500L?
Any Fiat 500L first registered from April 2017 pays the standard rate of £200 a year after its first year (2026/27 rates). A Fiat 500L registered between March 2001 and March 2017 is taxed on its CO2: £20 to £225 a year.
Work out tax for a specific carFiat 500L specs and running costs
Official figures for 32 versions sold in the UK between 2013 and 2021.
Fuel types
Diesel, Petrol
Official economy
38.7–72.4 mpg
CO2
104–166 g/km
Power
95 PS
| Version | Fuel | Economy | CO2 | Car tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500L 120th 1.4 95hp Start&Stop95 PS · M6 · listed 2021 | Petrol | 42.2 mpg | 155g | £200 |
| 500L City Cross 1.4 95hp Start&Stop95 PS · M6 · listed 2021 | Petrol | 42.2 mpg | 155g | £200 |
| 500L Cross 1.4 95hp95 PS · M6 · listed 2021 | Petrol | 38.7 mpg | 166g | £200 |
| 500L Cross 1.4 95hp Start&Stop95 PS · M6 · listed 2021 | Petrol | 42.2 mpg | 155g | £200 |
| 500L Hey Google 1.4 95hp95 PS · M6 · listed 2021 | Petrol | 38.7 mpg | 166g | £200 |
| 500L Pop 1.4 95hp95 PS · M6 · listed 2021 | Petrol | 38.7 mpg | 166g | £200 |
| 500L Sport 1.4 95hp95 PS · M6 · listed 2021 | Petrol | 42.2 mpg | 155g | £200 |
| 500L Urban 1.4 95hp Start&Stop95 PS · M6 · listed 2021 | Petrol | 42.2 mpg | 155g | £200 |
| 500L MPW, August 2013 onwards 1.3 MultiJet 95 bhpM5 · listed 2018 | Diesel | 68.9 mpg | 107g | £200 |
| 500L MPW, August 2013 onwards 1.3 16v MultiJet 95 bhp - Dualogic - Euro 6SAT5 · listed 2018 | Diesel | 72.4 mpg | 104g | £200 |
| 500L MPW, August 2013 onwards 1.6 16v MultiJet 120 bhp - Euro 6M6 · listed 2018 | Diesel | 67.3 mpg | 112g | £200 |
| 500L MPW, August 2013 onwards 1.3 16v MultiJet 85M5 · listed 2015 | Diesel | 67.3 mpg | 110g | £20 |
| 500L MPW, August 2013 onwards 1.3 16v MultiJet 85 DualogicSAT5 · listed 2015 | Diesel | 70.6 mpg | 105g | £20 |
| 500L MPW, August 2013 onwards 1.6 16v MultiJet 105M6 · listed 2015 | Diesel | 62.8 mpg | 117g | £35 |
| 500L MPW, August 2013 onwards 1.6 16v MultiJet 120M6 · listed 2015 | Diesel | 61.4 mpg | 120g | £35 |
Economy and CO2 are official NEDC (before 2018) or WLTP figures. Car tax is the yearly rate at current rates for a car first registered in the year listed, before any expensive car supplement. Showing the 15 most recent of 32 versions.
What a Fiat 500L costs to fuel
- petrol, typical official 42.2mpg…
- diesel, typical official 67.3mpg…
Official figures are usually 10–15% better than real-world driving.
Work out a journey in a Fiat 500LBuying a used Fiat 500L?
Check the MOT history of the exact car: every result, advisory and mileage reading, free.
Compare the Fiat 500L with other people carriers
Reliability, economy, car tax and running costs side by side.
Other Fiat models
Frequently asked questions
›Is the Fiat 500L reliable?
Its MOT record is worse than average: the Fiat 500L is 30% more likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage, with a reliability score of 77 in our 2024 league (100 is average).
›What are common problems with the Fiat 500L?
The most common MOT fault is “Coil spring: fractured or broken”, found in 5.9% of tests. It fails on steering and seat belts and airbags more often than similar cars.
›What MPG does the Fiat 500L do?
Official economy for the Fiat 500L ranges from 38.7 to 72.4mpg across the 32 versions listed by the Vehicle Certification Agency (2013–2021). A typical petrol version manages 42.2mpg and a typical diesel 67.3mpg. Expect 10–15% less in real-world driving.
›How much is road tax on a Fiat 500L?
Any Fiat 500L first registered from April 2017 pays the standard rate of £200 a year after its first year (2026/27 rates). A Fiat 500L registered between March 2001 and March 2017 is taxed on its CO2: £20 to £225 a year.
›How many Fiat 500Ls fail their MOT?
36.3% of Fiat 500Ls aged 3 to 20 failed their MOT first time in 2024.
Sources: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024, all versions of the Fiat 500L combined (Open Government Licence v3.0); official economy and CO2 from Vehicle Certification Agency data, © Crown copyright. VCA cannot accept liability for its accuracy. How we calculate the league.