Compare Fiat 500 diesel engine fault quotes from specialist garages

Fiat is known for its small-sized vehicles, like the iconic Fiat 500 and the Fiat Panda, famously one of ex-Top Gear presenter James May's favourite cars. Take a look at our list of top ten cars like the Fiat 500 here.

However, the brand has also branched out from its small-car origins, and in 2023, a Fiat E-Scudo all-electric van set a world record for the longest distance travelled by a van on a single charge, covering just over 311 miles.

Despite the earliest Fiat 500 being released all the way back in 1957, the latest iterations are still making waves, winning 'Best Small Car' at the 2022 Autocar Awards, with its electric counterpart, the 500e, winning 'Best Electric Small Car' at the 2023 WhatCar? Electric Car Awards.

Find out how much a Fiat MOT costs in this guide.

Few cars can be called genuinely iconic, but the Fiat 500 is one of them. With its cheeky retro appearance and low running costs, it has long been a top choice for young drivers, and the latest version - which is all-electric - looks better than ever. Award panels agree - at the 2023 Parkers New Car Awards, the 500 won 'Small Electric Car of the Year', earning praise for its high-spec interior and performance.

Several common problems have been identified in earlier versions of the 500, including loose trim (the door handles are notorious for coming off) and worn clutches. In WhatCar?'s 2024 reliability survey, the Fiat 500 came 14th out of 15 vehicles in the small car class aged up to five years old.

This guide looks at the top ten cars like the Fiat 500.

Diesel engine repair jobs are often more expensive than petrol, although diesel cars are more reliable and economical over long distances. The main difference between petrol and diesel engines is that the air is compressed before the fuel is injected in diesels, while in petrols, air and fuel are mixed first, then compressed and ignited.

The most common problems experienced by diesel engines include a clogged diesel particulate filter, stuck EGR valve, turbo failure, worn glow plugs, faulty injectors and low compression. Due to the chemicals and processes involved, some jobs, such as DPF cleaning, may require a diesel engine specialist service.

Many of the above faults have similar symptoms, so the best way to find the specific problem with your vehicle is to use diesel engine diagnostics. If you're experiencing issues with your car, we recommend finding a diesel specialist who can give you expert advice.