What's up with my Fiat 500?
I had my Fiat 500 looked at as engine and stop-start lights come on. The garage said it needed new battery which was replaced. Not even a day later both lights are back on. They said the alternator is fine. So what is the problem?
Marnie (Torquay )Jul 2025 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Marnie,
It could well be that the wrong type of battery was used, so perhaps take a look at that, but there can be many other reasons causing the stop-start system to give an error. Really, it needs to be plugged into a diagnostic computer to get to the bottom of the problem. A good mechanic should be able to do that for you.
Does my Fiat 500 have a battery issue?
Hi,
I have a 2010 Fiat 500. The stop-start system has not been turning the engine off when I’m at a standstill. At the moment the boot will not open unless the engine is running. Would this have anything to do with faulty battery?
Thank you
Catherine Hanlon (Essex)Apr 2023 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Catherine,
Stop-start systems can be tempermental. We get so many queries about them that we decided to write a feature explaining the potential issues - Why won't my car's stop-start system work?
Nonetheless, issues with it are regularly caused by weak batteries. Saying that, I wouldn't expect your car to start properly in the morning if there was a big battery problem, so I don't think the boot opening problem is linked to the battery. The Fiat 500 has a known issue where the wiring near the tailgate hinge can become damaged or broken - I suspect that's where your problem lies.
A decent mechanic should be able to quickly fix that for you.
I have €4,000 to buy my first car...
Hi,
I'm a student from Dublin looking to buy my first car. Budget is small, around €4,000. Obviously a small engine will be cheaper insurance-wise and grand for driving in Dublin, but I would be driving to Ennis and back once or twice a month (500km ish). Is a 1.0-litre too small,? Should iIlook for something bigger?
Mark Boyle (Essex)Dec 2020 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
OK, we’ve found a few cars that meet both your budget and your small engine requirement, and can pretty easily handle the hack to Ennis and back.
All small car searches should start with a Fiat 500 — looks cool, is fun to drive, costs buttons to run and no they’re not unreliable.
Want something a bit more conventional? You should be able to track down a 2009-ish Ford Fiesta with the 1.25 engine. Terrific all-rounder.
If you want something cheaper to run, there’s the Kia Picanto (circa 2010), which has a peppy enough 1.0 to be able to cope with the Ennis run.
Or finally a Toyota Yaris, with that brilliant 1.0 VVTi engine, would make a hugely sensible choice, but you’ll have to go for an older one to stay on budget — 2008 or thereabouts.
What's up with my Fiat 500X electrics?
I have a 2016 1.4 petrol Fiat 500X MultiAir. My stop-start system says it is not available and drive mode unavailable with symbols for start-stop and engine fault on the dashboard. This has been happening on and off for some time. The car just seems to reset after a week or so. I have done 58,000 miles and it has just passed its NCT and has had a service.
Ann Godfrey (Irvine)Jul 2020 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Ann,
We'd suspect the battery or alternator aren't performing at their best. Stop-start issues are very commonplace, across all cars. So much so that we've written a feature for drivers on the subject: Why won't my car's stop-start system work?
Warning lights on my Fiat 500L...
Hi,
I was going up hill to join a motorway and I’m guessing I was in too high gear, then my warning light and engine light came on and then a message telling me that to stop-start had been deactivated. The warning lights remained for the rest of the journey. Can you tell me what happened? I have a 2013 Fiat 500L.
Thanks
Tanya Palluotto (Stevenage )Jul 2020 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Tanya,
It sounds to us like the alternator may have been struggling to produce enough electrical power and that perhaps your battery could do with replacement. If the problem has not reoccurred then it's nothing to worry about, but no harm getting your battery checked before winter sets in.
My Fiat 500C's stop-start is playing up...
Hi,
I have a 2012 Fiat 500c manual. Over the past year, the stop-start has intermittently stopped working, warning light comes on saying stop-start not available and a yellow triangle. The last few months is has been happening more often, now warning light on constantly. I had the battery checked and it was 80 per cent. Charged battery and today warning light was on constantly for six miles, drove again and stop-start worked or at least no warning light for about a mile, then on again, tried quickly turning key in ignition 6 to 10 times and warning light stayed off for another 1/2 mile or so then back on, had a hose replaced in February from radiator and it started to say unavailable about middle of March. It's not affecting driving any other way just really annoying, don't know if a new battery will fix it. Fiat dealers are closed at the moment due to COVID-19 or I would have taken it for a diagnostic test.
Hope I've made sense.
Wendy Armson (Brierley Hill)Apr 2020 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Wendy,
We get a lot of queries from people with cars that have stop-start issues. We've published this article to help: Why won't my car's stop-start system work?
Saying all that, we also know that the Fiat 500's engine can develop a couple of issues that may be relevant to you, including a problem with the alternator belt tension (and hence battery recharging when on the move) and another with the engine control unit.
Sadly, unless you're comfortable with checking the alternator belt for yourself, these items will have to be checked by a mechanic.
Is my Fiat 500 ok to drive?
My Fiat 500 has just told me that my start-stop system is unavailable and to check engine; is this dangerous and do I need to take it to a garage?
Kate Bailey (Portsmouth)Apr 2019 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Kate,
There are loads of reasons for an engine's stop-start system to stop working (see our Why won't my car's stop-start system work? feature), but it rarely is linked with a dangerous issue.
Saying that, there's no harm at all in bringing your car to a good mechanic to have it diagnosed to confirm that nothing major is amiss.
Best of luck with it
Which new crossover or SUV for me?
Hello,
Which crossover/SUV would you recommend? I do circa 25-30k kilometres per year, mostly motorways, but also a fair bit of urban driving.
Roseanna
Roseanna Gorman (Bray)Dec 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Roseanna,
First things first — if you’re doing mostly urban and motorway miles, you really don’t need an SUV. A more conventional hatchback, saloon, or estate is going to be more comfortable, better value, more economical and a better-engineered vehicle all round. If you’re looking for something with practicality then the likes of a Skoda Octavia Combi estate, a Volkswagen Golf Estate, a Kia Ceed SW, or the new Ford Focus Estate all have much bigger boots than any small-to-medium SUV (more than 600 litres, all of them, compared to around 450 litres for, say, a Nissan Qashqai), and they’re all better to drive and more frugal.
However, if you’re hooked on SUVs then we’d recommend a SEAT Ateca (plain wrapper, but it’s roomy, comfy and nice to drive) or a Toyota C-HR (small on the inside, relatively, but hugely stylish and the hybrid version is frugal). If you’re looking to ‘posh-up’ a bit, then the incoming new Audi Q3 is a bit of a stunner, or if you want something smaller and more affordable than any of those, try the updated Fiat 500X, which is kinda cute and charming.
Here are our relevant reviews for you to read more:
What fun petrol hatch for €5,000?
I'm a newly full licenced driver at the ripe old age of 30, I haven't owned a car in 10 years so I'm looking at getting a used car for €4-5k, but due to insurance I'm limited to cars 1.6-litre or less. I want a petrol hatchback and would love something fun to drive yet affordable to run and good for motorways on the odd occasion so 1.0-litre shoeboxes would be a no no.
Any suggestions?
John Ward (Galway)Jun 2017 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi John,
OK, lots and lots of options. How about a Fiat 500? Great looking, fun to drive, well made and that 1.2-litre petrol engine is willing enough to tackle motorway work from time to time.
Late 2000s MINIs fall into your budget too, and they're great fun to drive, roomier than the 500 (well, a bit) and solid on longer journeys.
You could be dead sensible and go for an Audi A3 1.6 petrol and there'd be nothing wrong with that - ticks all the boxes.
Or maybe something a bit more left-field? How about a Volkswagen Beetle? An original Mini (we did find one in your budget) or even a Smart ForTwo Brabus?
What'll I buy as my first car, for €10,000?
Hi folks,
I'll be buying my first car in a few weeks. Ideally I'd like to find something under €10,000. Just something reliable to get me to and from work, preferably in a low tax band and will keep insurance costs as low as possible (22-year old male). Any advice?
Also, if I'm paying in cash can I expect to get a discount on the asking price in a dealership? If so, roughly what percentage could I hope for?
Thanks in advance, Rob
Rob Henry (Dublin)May 2016 Filed under: learner
Expert answer
Hi Rob,
Well, as far as discounts go, most dealers operate on about an eight per cent margin, so if you're asking for more than a seven per cent discount you're asking for a below cost price. You should get a decent discount for cash right enough, but explore the credit options too - dealers often get bonuses for selling a credit plan so if you can get a good one (at zero per cent interest obviously) and pay it off from your lump sum, it may give the dealer a bit more wiggle room for a discount.
As for the model, with a starter car and the current cost of insurance you need to be looking at no more than a 1.0-litre engine. Happily your budget will easily get you into a Volkswagen up! 1.0, one of the best small cars around (or equally you could go for a mechanically identical SEAT Mii or Skoda Citigo). Can't go wrong really, although if you're looking for other options you could try an Opel Karl (plain but decent), a Renault Twingo (fun but not as well made as the up!) or the Fiat 500 TwinAir (fabulous car, but get an insurance quote first).
Here are reviews of all of those to help you decide: