2007-2019 Fiat 500 | Review and What To Look For When Buying One

SUBSCRIBE to my channel for more videos!!! Follow Miguel's Garage on: Facebook:   / miguelsgarage   Instagram:   / miguelsgarage   SUPPORT The channel! Grab some cool merch!! https://miguels-garage.myshopify.com/ The Fiat 500 might be tiny, but it’s a full-on cult icon now. That cute little egg-shaped body? Yeah—people love it. But back in 1957, it wasn’t trying to be trendy. It was built to get Italy moving, and it did. Over 4 million of these things hit the road in just 20 years. Simple interior, go-kart vibes, and a rear-mounted air-cooled engine that started at just 479cc—later bumped to a mighty 18 horsepower. Tiny, practical, and somehow… legendary. We’ll cover more on the first generation 500 once I get my hands on one… But this! The second-gen Fiat 500 dropped in 2007, and Fiat basically said: “Let’s take the classic, make it modern, and keep the charm.” And wow—did they nail it. It kept the retro look, the bubble-shaped body, the personality—but now with airbags, real tech, and engines that make more than lawn-mower power. It became an instant hit across Europe, then the U.S., thanks to its quirky styling, park-anywhere size, and surprisingly fun handling. It’s the perfect blend of old-school soul and new-school city car practicality. 1-Front Suspension Noises Take it for a drive over a small bump. If you hear clunks or knocking up front? That’s usually worn strut mounts or bushings. Not a huge repair, but worth knowing before you buy. 2-Power Steering Problems (Gas Models) If the dash says ‘POWER STEERING’ or the wheel suddenly gets crazy heavy — yup, that’s a known issue with the steering motor or torque sensor. Definitely test the steering at low speeds. 3-Transmission Stuff (Both Gas Manual & Auto) Shift through the gears. The automatic likes to slam 1st to 2nd if the fluid’s old. On the manuals, a soft clutch pedal or grinding into gear means the clutch or slave cylinder is on its way out. 4-Oil Leaks Smell something burning? The 1.4L gas engine loves to leak from the valve cover. Take a flashlight, check around the edges — any wetness there means a gasket job is coming. 5-Cooling System Issues Fiats run warm. Make sure there’s no coolant smell and the temp stays solid. Thermostat housings and radiators like to crack — not huge money, but annoying. 6-For the Fiat 500e Owners — EV-Specific Stuff! Battery Cooling System If this leaks, the car freaks out. Look for coolant puddles in the middle of the car and make sure it charges without any warnings. On-Board Charger Failure If you plug in and nothing happens? That’s usually the OBC. Expensive fix… so test charging during your inspection! Drivetrain Whine A little whine is normal — it’s an EV. But if it sounds like a sci-fi spaceship at 40 mph? The reduction gears might be wearing. 12V Battery = EV Life Support On the 500e, a weak 12V battery will shut the whole car down. Check the date, always. 7-Interior & Body Stuff Door handles break — pull them gently and look for cracks. If it’s a convertible, run the top fully open and closed. Too much vibration at idle? That’s an engine mount. Clicking behind the dash = blend door actuator. Recalls: The best option to find out recall information is to go to your manufacturer’s website link below: https://www.mopar.com/en-us/my-vehicl... In the U.S., you can also visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The link is also included below. https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls For either option, enter the vehicle’s 17 character VIN # and this will provide you with a list of recalls for the vehicle you are looking into.