2014 Fiat 500L 1.6L Diesel · EJ51 APE

The 1.6 L diesel engine typically returns around 55 mpg, resulting in an annual fuel cost of roughly £600 for 12,000 mi of driving. Road tax for a 2014 diesel in band 23 is about £150 per year, and insurance group 13 averages £500 annually. Typical maintenance includes tyre replacement (≈£400 every 2‑3 years) and occasional suspension part swaps (≈£150‑£250), leading to an estimated total annual running cost of £800‑£1,000.

Start by examining the front coil spring and suspension bushings for cracks or corrosion, as a fractured spring was recorded in a 2025 MOT failure. Check tyre tread depth on all four wheels, paying particular attention to the near‑side front tyre which has repeatedly been noted as worn close to the legal limit. Verify that the front and off‑side windscreen wipers clear the glass effectively, that the washer fluid system supplies adequate liquid, and that the headlamp aim is correct, since these items were flagged as major defects in earlier tests. Finally, test the seatbelt buckles and inspect the wheel arches for rust, especially around the suspension mounting points.