Question 1

What is common issue #1 with Abarth vehicles?

Accepted Answer

Record Monza exhaust valves frequently seize due to road salt and heat, requiring regular lubrication or replacement.

Question 2

What is common issue #2 with Abarth vehicles?

Accepted Answer

Rear axle bushes perish prematurely, causing clonking and MOT failures, just like the standard Fiat 500.

Question 3

What is common issue #3 with Abarth vehicles?

Accepted Answer

Door handle hinges are prone to snapping, a frustrating but common Italian car quirk.

Question 4

What is common issue #4 with Abarth vehicles?

Accepted Answer

The MTA (Competizione) semi-automatic gearbox can be jerky and expensive to repair if the actuator fails.

Question 5

What is common issue #5 with Abarth vehicles?

Accepted Answer

Heater blend door actuator failure is common, requiring dashboard removal to access and replace.

Question 6

What is common issue #6 with Abarth vehicles?

Accepted Answer

Turbocharger wear on higher-mileage T-Jet models—listen for whistling or metallic noises under acceleration.

Question 7

What is buyer check #1 when buying a used Abarth?

Accepted Answer

Check for a meticulous service history; T-Jet engines are robust but need high-quality oil changes every 6,000–9,000 miles.

Question 8

What is buyer check #2 when buying a used Abarth?

Accepted Answer

Listen for "tinkling" or "whistling" from the turbo, which could indicate a failing IHI or Garrett unit.

Question 9

What is buyer check #3 when buying a used Abarth?

Accepted Answer

Inspect the Record Monza exhaust valve (if fitted); they are notorious for seizing in the open or closed position due to road salt.

Question 10

What is buyer check #4 when buying a used Abarth?

Accepted Answer

Look for signs of track use, such as unusually worn tyre shoulders or heat-discoloured brake calipers.

Question 11

What is buyer check #5 when buying a used Abarth?

Accepted Answer

Prioritise manual gearboxes over the MTA robotised manual for better reliability and a more engaging driving experience.

Question 12

What is buyer check #6 when buying a used Abarth?

Accepted Answer

Check the rear axle bushes—they perish prematurely and are a common MOT failure point.

Question 13

What is buyer check #7 when buying a used Abarth?

Accepted Answer

Test the heater blend door actuator; failure is common and requires a dashboard-out job to fix.

Question 14

What is buyer check #8 when buying a used Abarth?

Accepted Answer

On 124 Spider models, verify the MultiActuator has been serviced with correct Selenia oil—the unit is very sensitive to oil quality.

Question 15

How many Abarth models are there?

Accepted Answer

There are 2 Abarth models covered in our directory, spanning from 2009 to 2024.

Abarth Vehicle Directory

All Abarth Models