Known Fiat problems at the APK

• Panda III 2012–2026 · 7.1% at 7–8 yrs (national 1.5%)
• Panda II 2005–2013 · 10.1% at 16+ yrs (national 5.9%)
• 500 (312) 2007–2026 · 9.5% at 16+ yrs (national 5.9%)
• 500L 2012–2021 · 4.8% at 9–10 yrs (national 2.8%)
• Grande Punto / Punto Evo / Punto 2005–2021 · 3.5% at 16+ yrs (national 2.2%)
• 500e 2020–2026 · 0.8% at 3–4 yrs (national 0.4%)

Look through the wheel at the discs: no deep grooves or thick rust edge. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stay straight.

• Panda II 2005–2013 · 9.0% at 13–15 yrs (national 2.7%)
• 500 (312) 2007–2026 · 9.1% at 16+ yrs (national 5.1%)
• Grande Punto / Punto Evo / Punto 2005–2021 · 8.3% at 16+ yrs (national 4.9%)
• Panda III 2012–2026 · 4.5% at 11–12 yrs (national 1.4%)
• 500L 2012–2021 · 3.1% at 11–12 yrs (national 1.4%)

Start the engine cold and watch for smoke and an uneven idle. Listen for blowing noises under the car.

• Panda II 2005–2013 · 6.4% at 13–15 yrs (national 1.0%)
• Grande Punto / Punto Evo / Punto 2005–2021 · 5.9% at 11–12 yrs (national 1.4%)
• 500 (312) 2007–2026 · 4.8% at 9–10 yrs (national 0.8%)
• Panda III 2012–2026 · 4.6% at 13–15 yrs (national 1.0%)
• 500L 2012–2021 · 2.7% at 7–8 yrs (national 0.4%)

Push each corner down firmly: the car should rebound once. Look for oil on the dampers and whether the car sits level.

• 500e 2020–2026 · 5.8% at 5–6 yrs (national 0.3%)
• 500 (312) 2007–2026 · 5.3% at 13–15 yrs (national 2.0%)
• Panda II 2005–2013 · 4.8% at 13–15 yrs (national 1.9%)
• 500L 2012–2021 · 1.9% at 11–12 yrs (national 0.9%)
• Panda III 2012–2026 · 1.0% at 3–4 yrs (national 0.1%)

Listen for clunks or knocks over speed bumps on the test drive. The car should not wander when braking.

• 500e 2020–2026 · 7.7% at 3–4 yrs (national 3.9%)
• Panda II 2005–2013 · 8.5% at 13–15 yrs (national 5.3%)
• Panda III 2012–2026 · 6.1% at 5–6 yrs (national 3.4%)
• 500 (312) 2007–2026 · 6.5% at 3–4 yrs (national 3.8%)
• 500L 2012–2021 · 6.1% at 7–8 yrs (national 3.8%)

Look for chips and cracks especially in the driver’s field of view. Test the wipers and washers.

• Grande Punto / Punto Evo / Punto 2005–2021 · 24.6% at 7–8 yrs (national 11.2%)
• 500X 2014–2024 · 11.5% at 3–4 yrs (national 6.4%)
• 500e 2020–2026 · 9.5% at 3–4 yrs (national 6.3%)
• Panda III 2012–2026 · 9.4% at 3–4 yrs (national 6.3%)

Walk around with the lights, indicators, brake lights and rear fog light on. Look for moisture in the headlights.

• 500 (312) 2007–2026 · 1.4% at 13–15 yrs (national 0.3%)
• Panda III 2012–2026 · 1.0% at 5–6 yrs (national 0.1%)
• 500L 2012–2021 · 0.6% at 9–10 yrs (national 0.1%)
• Grande Punto / Punto Evo / Punto 2005–2021 · 0.7% at 13–15 yrs (national 0.3%)

Open and close all doors and the tailgate. Uneven gaps and colour differences point to accident repair.

• Grande Punto / Punto Evo / Punto 2005–2021 · 16.8% at 7–8 yrs (national 1.2%)
• 500L 2012–2021 · 10.4% at 9–10 yrs (national 0.8%)
• 500X 2014–2024 · 9.9% at 7–8 yrs (national 1.2%)

Turn the wheel while stationary: no play, knocking or heavy spot. On the test drive the car should keep running straight.

• Grande Punto / Punto Evo / Punto 2005–2021 · 8.7% at 13–15 yrs (national 5.4%)
• 500L 2012–2021 · 1.6% at 7–8 yrs (national 0.5%)
• 500 (312) 2007–2026 · 1.1% at 7–8 yrs (national 0.5%)

Look under the engine and where the car was parked. Open the bonnet and look for wet, greasy spots.

• 500L 2012–2021 · 2.0% at 11–12 yrs (national 0.3%)
• Grande Punto / Punto Evo / Punto 2005–2021 · 1.2% at 11–12 yrs (national 0.3%)

Start cold and listen for ticking, watch for smoke and jerks when shifting.

• 500L 2012–2021 · 0.6% at 11–12 yrs (national 0.1%)
• Grande Punto / Punto Evo / Punto 2005–2021 · 0.6% at 13–15 yrs (national 0.2%)

Use a torch to look along the lines near the wheels and rear axle: no thick rust or wet spots.

• Panda II 2005–2013 · 10.8% at 13–15 yrs (national 7.2%)

Check the tread and look for uneven wear: that points to an alignment problem. The DOT code on the tyre tells its age.

• Panda II 2005–2013 · 2.4% at 16+ yrs (national 1.2%)

Look under the sills, in the wheel arches and at the suspension mounts, and press on suspicious spots. Watch for fresh sealant or new underbody coating.

• Panda III 2012–2026 · 1.0% at 3–4 yrs (national 0.5%)

Pull each belt out quickly: it should lock. The airbag light goes out after starting.

• 500 (312) 2007–2026 · 0.4% at 5–6 yrs (national 0.1%)

Switch on the ignition: all lights come on briefly and go out after starting. If one stays on, ask about the cause.