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

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 500c?

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 500c?

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 500c vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

56% 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 500c reliable?

Based on MOT data from 905 vehicles, the 2009 Fiat 500c has a first-time MOT pass rate of 73.2%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2009 Fiat 500c?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2009 Fiat 500c are: Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (57.5% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (56.5% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (54.8% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

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

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 500c (2009)

905 real MOT outcomes analysed • 73.2% first-time pass rate

2009 Fiat 500c

CarHunch analysed 905 real MOT records for the 2009 Fiat 500c. 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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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2009 Fiat 500C's first-time pass rate of 73.2% sits noticeably below the UK average of 80%, and a concerning 56.2% of these cars have encountered dangerous defects at some point—a significant red flag for any prospective buyer. The petrol variants (73.4% pass rate) show no meaningful advantage, suggesting the weakness is inherent to the model rather than fuel type.

These 500Cs are running at a reasonable 52,125 miles median for their age, yet they're racking up an average of 5 failures and 31.7 advisories per test, pointing to cumulative wear and corrosion issues rather than catastrophic faults. Before purchasing, have a pre-buy inspection focus specifically on suspension, brakes, and bodywork integrity—the high advisory count indicates these are where costs tend to creep up.

The 2009 Fiat 500c has a below-average first-time pass rate (73.2% 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

73.2%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

56.2%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

4.99

Over 17.8 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

52k

Middle half: 38k–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 31.7 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 905 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

What tends to go wrong

Across 905 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Suspension & steering 57.5%

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded · Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded · Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil · …

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Tyre wear 56.5%

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Other issues 50.9%

Oil leak, but not excessive · Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened

Brake wear 50.1%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Parking brake efficiency below requirements · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2009.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 905 Fiat 500c cars.

Before you buy a 2009 Fiat 500c

Based on MOT data from 905 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 56.2% 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 (93%)	838	73.4%	4.96
Diesel (7%)	67	71.5%	5.36

Colour Breakdown

Based on 17,905 Fiat 500c vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

White 37.3%

6,670

Blue 14.1%

2,521

Red 12.1%

2,169

Grey 10.1%

1,806

Black 8%

1,434

Green 6.3%

1,126

Pink 4.7%

838

Beige 3.1%

561

Yellow 1.6%

289

Purple 1.5%

265

Orange 0.7%

127

Silver 0.6%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2009 Fiat 500c 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.

52,125

typical

37,543

low mileage

66,793

high mileage

Half of all 2009 Fiat 500c vehicles fall between 37,543 and 66,793 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 37,543 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.

✓ 37,543–66,793 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 Fiat 500cs sit.

⚠ Over 90,170 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 500c — Still on the Road

Most 2009 Fiat 500cs are still being driven.

Strong survival — 745 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 87% 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

17.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

4.99

Avg failures per vehicle

31.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Or browse all models: Fiat →

Compare with another model

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

Buyer beware — pass it on