A Secondhand Fiat 500 doesn't have to cost the earth, use our featured listings to find a used Fiat 500 car in your local area...
The Fiat 500 has been around for a few years now, but it is still one of the most sought after small class cars that you can buy. With economical and efficient engines there is sure to be a model in the Fiat 500 range to suit your individual needs and budget.
Launched in the year of 2007, the Fiat 500 is a two door hatchback car that will accommodate four people. It is available as hatchback or as a convertible, the latter carrying the model of "C" identifying it as having a soft top roof.
Whilst we describe this car as having 2 doors we should really class it as a 3 door because of its hatchback / tailgate opening. As with all small cars in this class do not expect a massive boot, but one that is functional and practical considering its size.
Engine Choice
Since it's introduction in 2007 this car has been available to buy with a strong choice of different engine options. Over the years the car has been available with 1.2 and 1.3 litre petrol engines (unleaded petrol) and also a 1.3 diesel version. Fiat also produced the 500 with a unique 2 cylinder petrol engine and in both normally aspirated as well as turbocharged versions. These are referred to as a TwinAir engine.
Gearbox
Most of the Fiat 500 cars sold will be fitted with a 5 speed manual gearbox. The 500 1.3 Sport that was produced (now discontinued) was fitted with a 6 speed manual transmission to reflect it's sporty nature. There is also the Dualogic gearbox for those drivers that need an automatic gearbox instead.
Colour Choice
When it comes to available colours you will not be disappointed with the range available from Fiat. Of course when looking to buy a used car some comprises have to be made, but with such a large choice made available when new - it means you should be able to easily obtain a car in a colour that you are happy with.
Fiat 500 cars are available in white, red, yellow, several shades of blue, as well as many other colours. The metallic pearl white colour in particular looks very striking, especially when on a 1.3 sport model.
Model Range
Fiat 500 models include the Lounge, the Pop, Sport, and S model. In addition there is the cabriolet soft top model, as well as various limited edition models. The trim and specification of the car varies depending on the model you choose. Expect the Lounge and Pop to be very traditional in line with a period classic Fiat 500, the sport is very inside modern with a silver / chrome coloured gear knob and interior door handles. All Fiat 500's have a comprehensive dashboard display module complete with digital warning indicators and a rev counter.
Buying A Used Fiat 500
The job of finding and buying a used Fiat 500 is one that should be easy and straightforward. And as long as you choose a car that has been looked after and serviced as needed you can't really go far wrong. As with all cars the Fiat 500 models do occasionally have the odd issue or problem, but no more so than other similar cars in it's class.
When looking to buy a secondhand Fiat 500 the overall condition of the car is what is important, and appearances can go a long way to tell you how a car has been looked after. Try and avoid any that look neglected, dirty, and which have the tell tale signs of being abused or not cared for.
A large number of new as well as used Fiat 500's are purchased by female drivers, and ones that look on this make and model of car as a fashion accessory. If you manage to get the opportunity to buy a used Fiat 500 from one of these people - it should turn out to be a little gem!
Perhaps the hardest decision you will have to make is what model of car you go for, as their trim levels can vary both in colour as well as specification. Expect cloth interiors in varying colours and occasionally leather too. Add in air conditioning as standard and you can see why this car is always in-demand on the secondhand front!
Where To Buy From
Most people that are looking to buy a used car prefer not to commute too far from where they live, they prefer to buy locally. In these modern times it is straight forward to find a used car by way of using the internet, and it is by using this that we recommend as one of the best methods to find the used Fiat 500 that is right for you.
If you have access to a computer, or even a mobile phone or tablet, you can search locally for a pre-owned car to suit your needs.
One of the easiest options is by way of using Google or the online auction site that is ebay. Google will let you search for cars in your own UK local area, often bringing up Fiat Main Dealers as well as dedicated car sales sites. Ebay will let you search in a comprehensive way for a used Fiat 500 and with many search options including distance from your address to the seller, the option to view cars that are for sale on a fixed price "buy it now", or for cars that are sold to the highest bidder.
Ebay lets you pick the engine type and even search by mileage, so this method is one that maybe you wish to try?
Read more details on using ebay.co.uk to
find and buy a used Fiat 500
This image shows a typical interior of a Fiat 500
Note the colour co-ordinated dashboard panel, central mounted gear selector lever, and the spacious and bright interior.
Multiple air bags are a standard feature as is air conditioning.
Reviews Of The Car
There are plenty of reviews that have been written about this car, and a quick search in one of the popular internet search engines will soon throw up a good handful of reviews on what a Fiat 500 is really like.
"You won't find a cuter or more desirable small car" is just one reviewers point on this little Fiat! The car looks charming not just on the outside but on the inside too. Easy to drive and with straight forward "no fuss" controls - this car is great for use in the urban city or town.
This compact car has room inside for 4 adults but don't expect a massive boot area. It will cope with the shopping trip to say "Manchester Trafford Centre" or "Meadowhall Shopping Centre in Sheffield", but boot space has been sacrificed in a trade-off for passenger room and comfort.
Talking of passenger comfort, this car will easily accommodate two adults in the front who are over 6 feet tall! Try that in most other small super-mini cars and you will struggle. Headroom in the rear is limited due to the shape of the roof, but for small journeys it's fine for most average sized passengers.
When looking to buy a secondhand Fiat 500 you may be thinking about which engine to go for? There are lots of 1.2 petrol engined cars about due to them selling in vast numbers. 1.3 petrol engined versions are not as common, but their extra power is useful especially if you live in a hilly city or town, or want to venture on regular motorway journeys. But ownership of a Fiat 500 is not just about power, after all if you want a quick and fast 500 maybe you should consider an Abarth?
Diesel engined cars are not as popular as the petrol engines ones, but they are economical and especially so when used on medium to long journeys. The same goes for the unique TwinAir model. Being two cylinder this gives the car a sound like no other, and yet it still performs pretty well despite having two cylinder less than other cars in the model range.
Save Money on the purchase of a pre-owned Fiat 500
Browse a great selection of used Fiat 500's from both dealers, independent garages, as well as private sellers
View Used Fiat 500 Cars On Sale Now
Another image of the interior on a "Facelifted" 500
This is the newer model that features that large central display module in the centre of the dashboard.
As with all Fiat 500's the car has electric windows, air conditioning, and multiple air bags for safety.
Keeping Your Fiat 500 Well Maintained
Once you have purchased your used Fiat 500 it is important to keep it well maintained and in a safe working order. The key here is to have the car regularly serviced so it maintains it's reliability, its condition, and of course it's value.
Hopefully the used car that you have chosen will have had services as needed, and with everything working as on the day it left the Fiat factory.
Most owners will choose you use an appointed garage to have their Fiat 500 serviced, this could be a main Fiat dealer or an independent garage that is suitably qualified to look after your car.
Maintaining it yourself?
Most items and service schedules on a Fiat 500 car can be tackled by the home enthusiast that has a basic knowledge of car mechanics. With the exception of the complex fuel injection and ignition system a great deal of the serviceable areas can be worked on at home, providing you have the tools at hand and the knowledge to do the job right.
When it comes to DIY maintenance and servicing, a big bonus is if you have to-hand a Fiat 500 workshop manual. One of these covers most of the basic service schedules and provides a step-by-step guide on how best to carry them out.
When it comes to buying a good workshop service manual for a Fiat 500 we recommend the Haynes manual.
Fiat 500 Workshop Manual
This manual can be viewed and purchased online by way
of using Amazon.co.uk
View Details / or Buy Online
Personalise Your Life With Accessories
Most people that own a Fiat 500 are men and women that adore the car, and hence become real fans of the 500 brand! To help people personalise their car as well as enjoy "everything Fiat 500" there is a multitude of accessories and themed merchandise available.
Starting off with something that is low in price but high in value and practicality is the Genuine Fiat 500 Keyring. This is a useful accessory that is a must for any Fiat 500 owner. This keyring features the Italian flag colours as well as the Fiat logo. It is just the thing to be attached to the keyfob of your used Fiat 500!
Fiat 500 Loop Keyring
This is a genuine accessory from within the official merchandise range.
View Details / or Buy Online
Other Related Resources
We hope that the above articles have been of use to you. For added reading you can visit the following resources on Fiat 500 related websites:
Fiat UK - the importer and UK distributor of new Fiat branded cars
Fiat Forum - an International forum with content and contributions direct from Fiat owners
Wikipedia - an overview of the Fiat 500 hatchback
