Abarth 500 Abarth 312 price

• Abarth 500: The European 1.4-litre T-Jet turbo petrol launched with 135bhp. The early Esseesse upgrade raised output to 160bhp and changed brakes and suspension. (Auto Express, checked 4 November 2026.)
• 500C: The roll-back cloth-roof version used the same engine. Early cars had a robotised transmission; a five-speed manual became available later. (Auto Express, checked 4 November 2026.)
• 595 Turismo and Competizione: These arrived in 2012 with 160bhp and manual or robotised gearbox choices. The Competizione gained a power increase in 2015. (Auto Express, checked 4 November 2026.)
• Specials: The rare 695 Biposto appeared in 2014 as a more focused two-seat derivative. Confirm any special edition against its build specification rather than badges alone. (Auto Express, checked 4 November 2026.)

Factory specification is the first sorting point. A documented Esseesse kit or genuine Competizione is more meaningful than an aftermarket badge; invoices should explain what has been changed on a tuned car. Gearbox choice matters because the robotised transmission feels different in traffic from the five-speed manual. Condition of the seats, decals and exhaust also distinguishes cars that can look almost identical in photographs. Check whether a purported special retains its correct wheels and trim. A recent cambelt and water-pump invoice adds more substance to an asking price than a vague “fully serviced” description. (PistonHeads, Auto Express, checked 4 November 2026.)

The T-Jet engine is generally strong, but look for coolant weeping at the water-pump outlet pipe. A loose air-inlet-pipe fixing can make unexpected under-bonnet noises. On a manual car, select every gear and inspect the linkage: worn cable bushes can leave only limited gear selection. On a robotised car, judge shifts during normal driving rather than assuming its behaviour from a short stationary demonstration. (Auto Italia buying guide, PistonHeads, checked 4 November 2026.)

Listen over broken surfaces for worn front ball joints, bushes, top mounts or dampers. A rear wheel-bearing fault may whine as cornering loads change. Check the top strut-mount area on older cars and inspect the tailgate wiring if its lights, wiper or lock misbehave. A Record Monza exhaust can rattle or suffer a sticking valve, so confirm that its sound and operation match the seller’s description. On a 500C, run the roof through its full movement and inspect the fabric and seals. (Auto Italia buying guide, PistonHeads, checked 4 November 2026.)

Auto Express describes servicing every twelve months or 9,000 miles and a cambelt and water-pump replacement at six years or 75,000 miles. PistonHeads notes that belt guidance can vary, so confirm the schedule for the car’s year and specification. Brake fluid, tyres and suspension wear are recurring checks, especially on cars used hard or fitted with larger wheels. An exhaust repair may be another specific item on a Monza-equipped car. Keep the invoices: they identify both maintenance and the provenance of upgrades. (Auto Express, PistonHeads, checked 4 November 2026.)

Is every 595 mechanically the same? No. Output, suspension and equipment changed across Turismo, Competizione and special versions. Check the factory specification and invoices. (Auto Express, checked 4 November 2026.)

Does the Abarth 500 have a cambelt? Yes. Ask for a dated belt and water-pump invoice and confirm the interval for the exact car. (Auto Express, checked 4 November 2026.)

What causes missing gears on a manual? Worn gear-linkage cable bushes are a known cause. Have the fault diagnosed before assuming the gearbox itself needs replacing. (Auto Italia buying guide, checked 4 November 2026.)

Is a tuned car best avoided? Judge the quality and documentation of its work. Unexplained modifications make it harder to establish the car’s specification and maintenance needs. (PistonHeads, checked 4 November 2026.)

Sources:

• Auto Express Abarth buying guide — checked 4 November 2026.
• PistonHeads 595 buying guide — checked 4 November 2026.
• Auto Italia Abarth buying guide — checked 4 November 2026.