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VERDICT · CHECK THE MULTIAIR SYSTEM FIRST

Fiat 500 Abarth 1.4L
is it a safe used buy?

The performance-tuned Abarth version of the 500 — genuinely entertaining to drive, but a purchase decision that should hinge heavily on the MultiAir system check covered on the engine page.

GENERATION2012–2019
ENGINE1.4L MultiAir Turbo
POWER135–160 hp
USED PRICE$9,750–17,500

How the engine fits this car

The 500's light body is a genuinely good match for this turbo engine's performance character, though as a hot-hatch variant, the used population includes a meaningfully higher proportion of enthusiastically driven examples than the standard 500.

Given the MultiAir system's documented sensitivity, this is a car where the engine page's checklist matters more than almost anywhere else it's referenced on this site.

Fiat 500 Abarth-specific pros and cons

This is about the car itself — for engine-specific failure points, see the dedicated engine page below.

WHAT HOLDS UP WELL

  • Genuinely entertaining, characterful performance for a small hot hatch
  • Distinctive styling and exhaust note that enthusiasts generally rate highly
  • Strong enthusiast community knowledge given the car's cult following
  • A well-documented, symptom-free example can be a genuinely enjoyable used buy

WHAT TO WATCH

  • MultiAir solenoid and hydraulic actuator issues, covered on the engine page, are the main item to screen for
  • A meaningfully higher proportion of used examples have been driven hard or modified
  • Running costs are higher than the standard 500 given the performance-oriented engine
  • Specialist diagnostic knowledge for MultiAir issues is less widespread than for more common turbo engines

Pricing on the used market

Mileage band
Typical price
What to expect
Under 50,000 km
$14,000–17,500
Lower-mileage, often well-kept examples
50,000–90,000 km
$12,000–14,000
Sweet spot, verify MultiAir symptom history
90,000+ km
$9,750–12,000
Inspect closely for MultiAir symptoms before buying

The engine itself

This Abarth is a defining application of the 1.4L MultiAir Turbo. The MultiAir system checklist on the dedicated engine page should be treated as essential before buying.

FULL ENGINE BREAKDOWNFiat 1.4L MultiAir Turbo — Reliable or Not →

Pre-purchase checklist for this generation

Ask whether any MultiAir-related warning lights or rough running have ever occurred, and have a specialist run a diagnostic scan before buying if there's any doubt.

Ask about track use or modification history specifically, since hot-hatch variants attract a higher proportion of enthusiastically driven examples.

A rough idle or hesitation on throttle application, particularly when cold, is a meaningful warning sign worth having assessed.