The Fiat 500e is the electric take on the retro city car, with UK sales beginning in 2021. Used examples provide one of the most stylish ways to enter EV ownership, starting around £10,000, with easy parking and low running costs. It is also small inside, however, and range varies considerably depending on which of the two batteries it has. This guide explains their differences, realistic range, owner reports and prices to pay. You will find a print-out checklist at the end.
- Buy the 42 kWh battery unless journeys are confined to town: official range is about 70% greater, with little extra cost used.
- It is a city and suburban car, ideally as a second vehicle or for one commuter with home charging.
- Every car still has battery warranty: 8 years / 100,000 miles from first registration.
- A new 500e now costs not much more than a nearly new example, because of the £3,750 grant.
Which 500e is which?
| Battery | Power | Official range | Rapid charging | Trims on used adverts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 kWh | 70 kW | up to 118 miles WLTP | up to 50 kW | Action, RED, later Icon |
| 42 kWh | 87 kW | up to 199 miles WLTP | up to 85 kW | Passion, Icon, La Prima, RED and special editions |
Listings almost always put battery size in the title, “24kWh” or “42kWh”, which matters more than trim. Fiat quotes the 42 kWh version charging from 15 to 80% in roughly 30 minutes at a 100 kW charger, accepting up to 85 kW. Fiat UK currently prices the 500e from £20,995 with the 42 kWh La Prima at £26,995, before the £3,750 Electric Car Grant, for which the 500e has qualified since July 2026. Specifications are on the 500e page.
Warranty: plenty left
Fiat covers the battery for 8 years or 100,000 miles, meaning even the earliest 2021 examples retain cover into 2029. Establish how much new-car warranty remains, and what additional protection an approved-used warranty provides.
Realistic range
Our estimate for a typical example uses the battery-ageing model applied throughout the rest of EVcarsguide:
| Car | Summer | Year-round | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 500e 24 kWh | 92 miles | 81 miles | 68 miles |
| 2021 500e 42 kWh | 152 miles | 133 miles | 112 miles |
| 2023 500e 42 kWh | 158 miles | 139 miles | 117 miles |
These align with owner reports: 42 kWh owners commonly report roughly 150–160 miles in summer and 120 or less during winter. Several owners note that the range displayed after a full charge sits considerably below the official 199-mile figure. The 24 kWh version offers a little over half the official range of the 42 kWh. Owners also describe limited battery degradation, with 42 kWh health checks commonly showing around 93% after tens of thousands of miles.
Battery Health Estimator
Estimated condition if buying used
NMC chemistry - good longevity with proper charging habits
Estimates based on battery chemistry and age. Chemistry-based estimate. Actual health varies with charging habits, climate, and usage.
What owners report
We reviewed 21 owner discussions and owner reviews. These findings reflect owner experiences, not manufacturer data:
- Lots to like. Owners appreciate the looks, the cabin quality and enjoyable, easy driving around town. Running costs are very low when using an off-peak electricity tariff.
- Small inside. Rear seating is restricted, boot space is limited and there is no front boot.
- Software and the app. Owners describe bugs in the Fiat app and some infotainment features, alongside dealers lacking sufficient technical knowledge.
- Keys. Several owners find the keys confusing, particularly a wearable “pebble” with a battery that depletes, and a stiff mechanical backup key.
- Equipment varies by trim. Owners note halogen headlights and restricted seat adjustment in lower trims. If important to you, look for LED lights and the six-way driver’s seat.
- A minority mention a stiff ride on uneven roads, with one owner reporting a leaking rear shock absorber after hitting kerbs.
Recalls
UK recall records list a handful of small campaigns for the Fiat 500 range, most also covering petrol and hybrid 500 versions. One campaign concerns only the electric car: instrument-cluster software affecting 386 examples produced between September 2024 and March 2025. Enter the registration using GOV.UK’s recall checker to check for outstanding actions on the particular car.
Safety
Euro NCAP gave the 500e four stars in 2021, scoring 76% for adults, 80% for children, 67% for pedestrians and 67% for safety assist.
What to pay
Most advertised used 500es use the 42 kWh battery, with 2022 the most common year. The table separates battery sizes and registration years:
| Cars | Share of adverts | Median asking | Typical range | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 kWh, 2022 | 10% | £10,485 | £9,772–£11,598 | 15,850 |
| 42 kWh, 2021 | 14% | £11,930 | £10,896–£14,237 | 20,100 |
| 42 kWh, 2022 | 38% | £11,995 | £11,057–£14,995 | 21,400 |
| 42 kWh, 2023 | 17% | £14,600 | £11,749–£16,765 | 16,600 |
| 42 kWh, 2024 | 7% | £14,800 | £14,138–£16,763 | 9,800 |
Treat these figures as asking prices rather than valuations. A 2022 example fitted with the 42 kWh battery asks only roughly £1,500 above a 24 kWh model of the same age, leaving very little incentive to choose the smaller battery. Dealers advertised new 42 kWh examples around £23,900, while Fiat’s own grant-adjusted price begins at £17,245. Compare a new car before spending significantly above £15,000 on a used example. Around 3% of adverts declared Cat S or N write-offs, making a history check essential.
Questions to ask the seller
- Which battery, 24 or 42 kWh?
- When was this Fiat first registered, and can the seller provide its service records?
- Are the recalls and software updates done?
- Can the seller provide a recent battery health report for this Fiat?
- Are both keys and the charging cable included, and can the seller demonstrate that they work?
The print-out checklist
Bring this to your viewing for the 500e-specific checks. Our general used EV buyer’s guide covers the checks relevant to every used electric car.
Alternatives worth a look
- MINI Electric: the other premium-feeling small car, offering less official range than a 42 kWh 500e.
- Renault Zoe ZE 50: greater range and space for comparable money. Read our used Zoe ZE 50 guide.
- Peugeot e-208 and Vauxhall Corsa Electric: bigger superminis. Read our used e-208 and used Corsa Electric guides.
Unsure whether it meets your driving needs? The EV Matchmaker matches the car against your own week, while the Used EV Finder shows the alternatives available within your budget.
Sources & further reading
- Fiat UK – Fiat 500 Electric
- Fiat UK – 500e eligible for the Electric Car Grant (July 2026)
- Euro NCAP – Fiat 500e (2021)
- GOV.UK – Check if a vehicle has been recalled
Founder of EVcarsguide. Web technologist and data specialist tracking the UK EV market.
