Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2009 Fiat 500 C?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2009 Fiat 500 C?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2009 Fiat 500 C?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2009 Fiat 500 C vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

53% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2009 Fiat 500 C reliable?

Based on MOT data from 453 vehicles, the 2009 Fiat 500 C has a first-time MOT pass rate of 73.8%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2009 Fiat 500 C?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Fiat 500 C (2009)

453 real MOT outcomes analysed • 73.8% first-time pass rate

2009 Fiat 500 C

CarHunch analysed 453 real MOT records for the 2009 Fiat 500 C. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Limited data for this trim variant. The DVLA records this vehicle under a specific trim-level name with only 453 vehicles on record — some statistics may not be reliable at this sample size.

See the full 2009 FIAT 500 (22,360 vehicles)

The 2009 Fiat 500 C has a below-average first-time pass rate (73.8% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

73.8%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

53.4%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

4.84

Over 17.7 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

51k

Middle half: 37k–67k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 30.3 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 453 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 453 Fiat 500 C cars.

Before you buy a 2009 Fiat 500 C

Based on MOT data from 453 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 53.4% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (92%)	418	74%	4.83

Colour Breakdown

Based on 4,495 Fiat 500 C vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

White 42.8%

1,924

Blue 15.4%

691

Red 15.2%

684

Black 9.2%

415

Grey 7.8%

349

Pink 2%

Yellow 1.9%

Beige 1.9%

Green 1.6%

Purple 1.2%

Silver 1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2009 Fiat 500 C vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

50,765

typical

36,548

low mileage

66,715

high mileage

Half of all 2009 Fiat 500 C vehicles fall between 36,548 and 66,715 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 36,548 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 36,548–66,715 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 Fiat 500 Cs sit.

⚠ Over 90,065 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2009 Fiat 500 C — Still on the Road

Most 2009 Fiat 500 Cs are still being driven.

Strong survival — 371 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 86% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

17.7

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

4.84

Avg failures per vehicle

30.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Fiat 500 C: All 500 C years → Which year to buy? →

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Or browse all models: Fiat →

Compare with another model

See how the 2009 Fiat 500 C stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on