Buy a used Fiat 500 because you love how it looks and mostly drive in town, not because it is the smartest small car for the money. Among gas cars, the 2018-2019 models with the standard 135-hp turbo are the ones I would shop first; treat the Abarth as a fun second car, and treat the old 500e electric as a short-range commuter you should range-test before paying a cent.
Fiat USA's current lineup is the 500e plus the tiny Topolino, so the gas hatch is a used-only purchase now, and it is easy to overpay for charm. Before pulling recall rows for each model year on October 16, 2026, I sorted out which versions actually exist, because the 500, 500L and 500X share a name and blur together in listings. Those two are bigger, different cars, and this guide skips them.
Which Fiat 500 you are actually looking at
The gas Fiat 500 arrived in the U.S. in 2011 according to Fiat USA's own page, and the company's August 31, 2019 statement said production of the current 500 and 500e for North America would end, with 2019 inventory lasting into 2020. So the gas car you are shopping in fall 2026 is a 2012-2019 model with somewhere between seven and fourteen years on it.
The versions break down like this:
- Regular 500 and 500C: hatch or the retractable soft-top 500C. Car and Driver's 2019 review says a turbocharged 1.4 with 135 hp became the only engine, a five-speed manual stayed standard and a six-speed automatic was optional. C/D rated it just 4 out of 10.
- Abarth: the hot one. C/D's Abarth review lists a 160-hp turbo four, praises the exhaust and handling, and calls the ride "downright punishing" on broken pavement.
- Original 500e (2013-2019): the electric version, which C/D notes was sold only in California and Oregon, with a 24.0-kWh pack, 111 hp and an EPA range of 84 miles when new.
- New 500e (2024 on): a different, newer EV. C/D's 2026 review lists 117 hp and 149 miles of EPA range, and calls the range "laughably short."
Honest negatives before you fall for it
The 500 is tiny inside. Car and Driver lists four seats, and the back two are for short trips. Ride quality on the Abarth is rough, and the regular car is not quick either. Look, none of that is a secret, but it is easy to buy one on looks and regret it on the highway. Drive it at the speeds you actually commute at before you decide.
The old 500e needs extra care. An 84-mile car when new can come up well short of that on an aging battery, especially in cold weather. Ask for a charge to 100 percent and watch the range estimate, and read our notes on what a history report can and cannot say about EV battery health.
Recalls by model year
I queried the NHTSA recalls API for the 2014 Fiat 500 and each year from 2012 to 2019, then the 500e separately. The ones that matter:
- 2012-2016 manual cars (16V302): the clutch diaphragm spring can fracture, leaving you unable to shift. The fix adds a clutch pedal limiter and switch.
- 2012-2013 automatics (19V817): the shifter cable bushing can fail, so the car may not go into the gear selected, including Park. Dealers replace the cable adjuster.
- 2014-2019 (24V474): the tire pressure warning light may not come on; dealers reprogram the module.
- 2013-2016 500e (14V235, 16V303): inverter coolant leaks and voltage spikes that can cut propulsion.
- 2024-2025 new 500e (24V510, 25V715): a seat belt buckle sensor that can keep the front airbag from deploying (2024), and headlight aim covers. The headlight letters went out in December 2025.
One odd entry: an aftermarket CravenSpeed short shifter sold for 2011-2019 cars was recalled for a shaft that could break. If the listing brags about a short shifter, ask whose it is. Run the actual VIN through our Fiat recall check by VIN guide, and decode trim and engine with the Fiat VIN decoder so an Abarth badge on a base car does not slip past you.
History report and price checks
A 500 that has bounced between owners every year or two deserves a harder look. On a report, check owner count, long gaps in service, auction sales and any title brand. Confirm brands on NMVTIS, and see what CARFAX lists in a standard report. We sell official CARFAX and AutoCheck as a licensed reseller, with no affiliation to CARFAX, AutoCheck or Experian. Pricing has lately been about $5.50 for a guest report, $4.50 for members and roughly $6.75 for the two-report bundle, where buying direct usually costs $39.99 to $44.99. Confirm at checkout. Do not accept a seller's PDF as your report; files get edited, and you want the current version tied to the VIN in front of you.
Fiat 500 vs Mini or Fit
If you want the same retro city-car idea from a different brand, read our used Mini Cooper buying guide and compare running costs honestly. If you care more about space than style, the used Honda Fit guide is the practical answer. The Fiat wins on personality and parking. It loses on rear-seat room, ride and long-haul comfort.
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