Used Fiat 124 review and buying guide (2016 to 2018): which one to buy and what to check

Which used Fiat 124 Spider should you buy?

Buy a Fiat 124 Spider (2016 to 2018) for its handling and Japanese build, knowing before you go that the turbocharged engine lags at lower revs and the brakes are softer than you'd want on a sports car. It also sits in a high emissions band for road tax, so check the band before you commit to one.

Practicality is the real deciding point. The boot's tiny and there aren't many places in the cabin to stow things, so if you need to carry more than a soft bag, this isn't the car for you however good the one you find is.

How does the Fiat 124 Spider's turbocharged engine drive?

The turbocharged engine lags at lower revs: it's slow to pick up until the boost builds, so it doesn't answer the throttle straight away when you're in a high gear at low speed. That delay is the main thing to weigh up about the engine, and you can only judge whether it suits you by driving one.

Don't let a short, gentle test drive hide it. Pull away from low revs in a higher gear and see whether the delay suits the way you drive. Then accelerate from low revs through the gears: the pull should build smoothly once the boost arrives, without hesitation or a warning light on the dash.

What should you check when viewing a used Fiat 124 Spider?

Brake feel comes first, because even a healthy 124 Spider has a slightly soft pedal for a sports car. Get used to that on the drive, then brake hard where it's safe; a pull to one side, judder through the pedal or grinding noises point to worn discs or pads rather than the car's normal character.

Ask for the service history and the receipts for recent servicing, and check the dates and mileages line up. Sit inside and look over the cabin, since it's finished to a high standard and loose or rattling trim isn't something to shrug off. Then load the boot with the bags you'd actually carry, because it's small and there's little storage elsewhere.

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 Fiat 124 cost to run?

What do Fiat 124 Spider owners like about them?

The handling's the big draw: it's sharp and rewarding through corners, yet the ride isn't harsh, so a bumpy road doesn't spoil the fun or leave you shaken about. It's aggressively styled too, with looks that are a big part of its appeal.

Inside, the cabin's put together to a high standard, with neat, solid fit and finish rather than panels that creak or feel cheap. It's built in Japan, and the quality of that build is something you notice each time you get in.

• The car offers strong build quality and reliability, reflecting its Japanese manufacturing heritage.
• Its distinctive and assertive styling provides a unique appearance, distinguishing it from competitor models.
• The vehicle provides excellent handling characteristics without compromising on ride comfort, offering a balanced driving experience.
• The interior demonstrates a high level of fit and finish, contributing to a premium cabin feel.