Used Fiat 500L Drive Shaft

The Fiat 500L ran as a single generation from 2012, with a facelift arriving around 2017, so a 2013 and a 2014 are within the same pre-facelift era — which is a good starting point. Fitment is driven above all by engine code, so you need to confirm both cars share the same engine code (found on your V5 or via a VIN check), the same fuel type, and the same gearbox type (manual or automatic). If all three match, the chances are good, but always confirm the specific part number with the breaker against both registrations before buying.

The 500L facelift arrived in 2017, and while the basic platform carried over, ancillary and mounting details can change across a facelift boundary, making this a cross-generation swap that needs careful checking. The engine code is still your most important data point — if both vehicles share the same engine code, gearbox type, and fuel type, there is a reasonable chance of compatibility, but you should not assume it. Route this one to the breaker with both registrations so they can compare part numbers directly.

Trim level does not affect drive shaft fitment on the Fiat 500L — Pop Star, Lounge, Cross, and other trim grades all use the same mechanical underpinnings for a given engine and gearbox combination. What matters is that the engine code, fuel type, and gearbox type match between the donor car and your vehicle. You may find cosmetic or equipment differences between trim levels when buying from a breaker, but none of those affect whether the drive shaft itself will fit.

The single most useful detail is the engine code, which you can find on your V5 logbook or by running a VIN check — it tells the breaker far more than the year or badge alone. You should also confirm your fuel type (petrol or diesel), gearbox type (manual or automatic), and whether you need the nearside (NS, left-hand) or offside (OS, right-hand) shaft. Providing your full registration alongside the engine code gives the breaker the best chance of matching the correct part.

Engine displacement alone is not enough, because Fiat used different engine codes within the 1.4 petrol family and these can have differing shaft specifications. Pull the exact engine code from your V5 or a VIN check and give that to the breaker, along with your gearbox type and the side you need (NS or OS). Once the breaker can match engine codes and gearbox type between the two cars, they can confirm whether the part is a straight swap.

No — gearbox type is a key fitment variable for drive shafts, and a shaft from an automatic transmission will not be interchangeable with one from a manual gearbox even if the engine code matches. Always specify your gearbox type clearly when contacting a breaker, alongside your engine code and which side you need. Getting this detail wrong is one of the most common reasons a used drive shaft turns out not to fit.