Used Abarth 124 review and buying guide (2016 to 2019): which one to buy and what to check

Which used Abarth 124 should you buy?

Any Abarth 124 Spider from its 2016 to 2019 run is worth a look, because what makes it good (strong pulling power, well-weighted steering and a satisfying gearchange) is there on every one. It was withdrawn from sale in the UK in April 2019, so there's no newer version to wait for, and the decision comes down to whether you fit in it.

Fit matters more than the year here. The cabin's cramped, and it's no place for a taller driver, so sit in one before you start comparing mileages or colours. If your knees hit the dash or your head brushes the roof, that's your answer, however good the rest of the car looks.

Which Abarth 124 engines and gearboxes are the safe choices?

The 124 Spider's engine is the reason to buy one: it's got plenty of pulling power, so overtaking slower traffic takes very little effort. On the test drive, give it a few firm pulls in a higher gear. It should gather speed eagerly without needing lots of revs, and if it feels flat, don't buy until the seller can explain why.

The gearchange is one of the car's best points, with a nicely weighted feel to every shift. On the test drive, go up and down through every gear, warm and cold. If the shift feels heavy, baulky or vague, that isn't how a healthy one behaves, and it's worth asking what the car's been through before you go any further.

What should you check when viewing a used Abarth 124?

Check the windscreen for chips and cracks first, because one owner's report from 2019 said replacement screens for the 124 Spider were hard to source. Run your eye across the glass, especially in the driver's line of sight, and if there's damage, get it sorted before you agree a deal rather than assuming a new screen's easy to find.

Ask whether the screen's ever been replaced, and for the receipt if it has. Then get in and set the seat for your own height before the test drive. If you can't find a comfortable driving position in the cramped cabin while it's parked on the forecourt, it won't get any better on a long run.

On the road, the steering should feel nicely weighted and accurate, since that's one of the things this car does best. Heaviness, slack around the straight-ahead or a car that wanders on a straight road all need explaining before you buy, and so does a gearchange that doesn't feel crisp and precise.

Paste the advert into the free check and it runs these against the listing, the MOT history and the DVLA record before you travel.

What does a used Abarth 124 cost to run?

What do Abarth 124 owners like about them?

The 124 Spider's at its best on a twisting B-road, where it's huge fun to drive. There's plenty of torque, so you don't have to wring it out to make quick progress, and getting past slower traffic doesn't take much planning or a long straight.

The controls are the other big draw. The steering's beautifully weighted, and the gearchange has the same satisfying feel, so the car's a pleasure to drive even when you're not in a hurry. Together they make you feel connected to what the car's doing on a winding road, which is exactly where this car belongs.

• The 170PS engine provides excellent performance, delivering ample torque for effective overtaking manoeuvres.
• The car features a well-balanced steering system and a precise, satisfying gearchange mechanism.
• Driving the Abarth 124 Spider on winding B-roads offers a highly enjoyable and engaging experience.