Abarth 500 Price Guide

The Abarth 500 was the car that relaunched the Abarth brand in 2008. It took the Fiat 500’s retro charm and added a turbocharged 1.4-litre engine, stiffened suspension, and the kind of raucous exhaust note that made every journey sound like a touring car warm-up lap.

The Car

The original Abarth 500 used a 1.4-litre T-Jet turbo producing 135bhp, later rising to 140bhp. The esseesse kit — named after the traditional Abarth high-performance package — raised power to 160bhp with a larger intercooler, reworked ECU, uprated brakes, and Eibach springs. The five-speed manual was the only sensible transmission; the MTA automated manual was jerky and slow. From 2012, the Abarth 500 was replaced in the range by the 595 and 695 designations, which used the same car with revised power outputs and trim levels.

Buying

Early Abarth 500s are now the most affordable route into Abarth ownership. The 1.4 T-Jet engine is robust if serviced correctly — cambelt changes every six years or 75,000 miles, plus water pump at the same time. The esseesse is the one to seek out for its extra performance and chassis upgrades. Avoid the MTA gearbox. Check for clutch wear, as the car’s character encourages enthusiastic driving from even the most restrained owner.