Technical What common faults on 500X ?

[ballboy]

Hi folks been away for a long time but looking at getting 500X so need your help
going to look at a couple of 500X's
1400cc 6 speed, 17 reg 47k miles Pop muiltstar
1600cc 5 speed 66R reg, 42k miles Pop

on the 1499cc one says DABR driveable ? I guess that is Driving Air Bag Rear fault light ? is that common fault ?

any common faults to look for ?

think the 1400cc is a cambelt so will replacing soon, what is the rough costs, (getting a bit old to replace it myself)
what is the 1600cc belt or Chain ?
need to factor cost of replacement in to price I'm will to go too

 

[DGPunto]

Sorry can't answer your specific questions but can give you our experience. We bought our 1.4 Cross Plus (with the 9 speed automatic) back in 2018. Since then I've only really had routine servicing plus a new set of tyres and a windscreen replacement due to a stone that was thrown up by a lorry.

Two things beyond those:
1. A piece of the black trim came loose over the rear wheel. Had to get a new plastic push pin for that
2. Recently had to replace the ambient/external temperature sensor which is located in the bottom of the passenger side mirror. Cheap to do but took a couple of hours, Fiat will want to replace the whole mirror if you ask them. You can check for this by looking at the temperature reading on the central screen. Mine was saying it was 45 celsius on a cold UK day!

 

[s130]

A decent garage should be able to do a FULL service including timing belt, water pump etc. in 5 hours. This included a software update.

In my case:

30/07/20 - Service - 5 Year - Small Car Services - Dean Burrows
0026,763 o New Engine Oil - Selenia Digitek Pure Energy - SAE 0W-30 ACEA C2
o New Oil Filter
o New Cambelt, New Tensioner, New Water Pump - Fiat 71771575
o New Air Filter - Crossland 502 58 0578
o New Auxiliary Drive Belt - Fiat 55249822
o New Spark Plugs
o New Brake & Clutch Fluid
o New Rear Wiper Blade

Dean said there were software updates but only recommended the engine one:

Engine : Bulletin N.011.17 - Engine rattle at idle (something I had noted) - DONE!
ABS : Unspecified
Body : Unspecified
Climate: Unspecified
Key Remote Control: Vague - not suggested if I have no issues

Radiator has no apparent drain plug. Dean drained down via oil cooler hose.

I supplied all parts excluding the coolant, brake fluid and rear wiper blade.

Cost INC VAT £330. Labour at £45 / Hour, 5 Hours = £225 + VAT

This gives you a guide. The parts costs I supplied cost £165 inc VAT

NOTE! This was all back in 2020 so all prices will have moved on.

The killer will be the labour charge. A Fiat Dealer local to me currently charges £144 + VAT per hour for servicing. Diagnostics more.

Independent small garages currently probably charge around £60 to £70 + VAT per hour - say HALF dealer rates.

Parts prices you can get a good idea of from Shop4Parts ( https://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=PartFinder&Manufacturer=2&model=809&items=Fiat_500X_Parts )

I have noticed more recently that some small independent garages no longer or are reluctant to fit customer supplied parts. It makes sense for them as if things fail then they avoid arguments etc. If they supply and fit the parts then fixing failures etc. is all down to them including labour involved.

Like you I'm getting a bit too old for bigger car servicing so I would look at doing the easy stuff (oil, filters, plugs, etc.) myself and book the car in for the timing belt and water pump.

 

[DGPunto]

Good to remember if you're a paid up member there's a discount code for S4P

 

[s130]

See also my post: 500X - Failures Fixed Under Warranty

Other failures have occurred, e.g. rear light and DRL connectors, DAB antenna, water damage to key control module. Can only suggest you do some additional forum searching.

1.4 Multiair turbo waste gate preload adjustment.

To my knowledge nobody has real major issues like engine failures, gearbox (manual) failures, etc.

 

[ballboy]

thanks for all the tips folks