Electric power steering column (Dualdrive)
usually 80,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Heavy steering, EPS warning
Fix: Repair or replace the column / sensor
€200–700
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Fiat Seicento
1998–2010
1
engines covered
6
known faults
3
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Fiat Seicento was built from 1998 to 2010.
For this generation we cover 1 engines and 6 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Clutch wear: it usually appears at 120,000–200,000 km and costs €500–900 to fix.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 / 1.2 / 1.4 8v & 16v FIRE | Petrol | Belt · 90,000 km / every 60 mo | 5W-40 · Fiat 9.55535-S2 / ACEA A3 · ~2.8 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults typical of this model
Front suspension (top mounts, drop links)
usually 60,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Knocks over bumps
Fix: Replace parts
€80–250
Faults by engine
1.1 / 1.2 / 1.4 8v & 16v FIRE
Ignition coil / leads
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Misfire
Fix: Replace
€50–150
Throttle body / idle (drive-by-wire)
usually 80,000–180,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Unstable idle, stalling
Fix: Clean and adapt the throttle body
€60–250
Head gasket after overheating
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Coolant loss, white smoke
Fix: Replace head gasket
€350–800
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 1.1 / 1.2 / 1.4 8v & 16v FIRE engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Timing belt kit + water pumpEngine | every 90,000 km or every 60 months | €450–900 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests in the Netherlands by age
Share of this model's Dutch fleet that had a defect in each system at a roadworthiness test (APK) in 2025. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and fuel. Sample: 2,697 cars.
| age (years) | 20+ |
|---|---|
| Brakes | 18.9 % |
| Suspension | 8.9 % |
| Steering | 2.4 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 13.3 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 27.5 % |
| Body and corrosion | 1.1 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 8.6 % |
Most common engine versions in the EU
New cars of this generation registered in the EU, Iceland and Norway 2010–2025: 8,365, of which 0 in Croatia. The share shows how common each version is.
| Version | Share | Years | CO₂ | Fuel use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 / 1.2 / 1.4 8v & 16v FIRE1.1 (1,108 cm³) · Petrol | 100.0 % | 2010–2010 | — | — |
Source: European Environment Agency (EEA), monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars, CC BY 4.0. CO₂ and fuel use are official type-approval values (WLTP from 2021), not real-world consumption.
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (3). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Fuel system Possibility of leakage from fuel tank due to corrosion30/04/2004 · R/2004/049
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Possible chafing of brake pipes.07/12/2000 · R/2000/117
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Brake pedal may fracture19/06/2000 · R/2000/071
Common questions
Does the Fiat Seicento have a timing chain or a timing belt?
1.1 / 1.2 / 1.4 8v & 16v FIRE: belt · 90,000 km / every 60 mo.
What are the known problems with the Fiat Seicento?
The faults with the highest risk: clutch wear (120,000–200,000 km, €500–900); electric power steering column (Dualdrive) (80,000–200,000 km, €200–700). The full list by engine is on this page.
What should you check when buying a used Fiat Seicento?
Before you buy, ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN that the recalls have been done (3 have been published for this model). If the engine has a timing belt, ask for the invoice for its replacement: with no proof, assume it has not been done. On the test drive, watch for these signs: slipping, high bite point; heavy steering, EPS warning. The full checklist is in the guide to buying a used car.
Models with the same engines
These models share engines with this car, so they share some of its faults too.
Fiat 500 2007–Fiat Grande Punto / Punto 2005–2018Fiat Punto II 1999–2010Ford Ka II 2008–2016Fiat Panda II 2003–2012Fiat Doblò II 2010–2022Alfa Romeo MiTo 2008–2018Fiat Stilo 2001–2007
Other Fiat models
Fiat Multipla 1998–2010Fiat Doblò I 2000–2010Fiat Idea 2003–2012Fiat Punto I 1993–1999Fiat Croma II 2005–2011Fiat Ducato III 2006–2014Fiat Sedici 2006–2014Fiat Bravo II 2007–2014Fiat Linea 2007–2015Fiat Fiorino / Qubo 2008–
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 08/10/2026