2009 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · EWV 2

A persistent front suspension and steering pattern dominates the mechanical history of this 2009 Fiat 500, with the same cluster of advisories reappearing across at least four consecutive tests. The 2026-01-26 entry resulted in a failed test, although the failure category is not explicitly listed in the data provided, and a re-test two days later on 2026-01-28 returned a pass with the identical advisory set retained: play in the steering rack inner joints on both sides, a worn upper mount bush on the nearside front shock absorber, an offside front suspension arm bush that is de-bonding from the arm, slight perishing on the offside rear tyre, and general corrosion on the rear axle. Going back through the record, the nearside front steering rack inner joint play and the offside front upper Macpherson strut bush wear have been flagged at every test since 2023, and the offside rear tyre perishing advisory has been repeated in every annual entry since 2023 as well. The rear axle corrosion advisory has likewise been a constant, and coil spring corrosion on both sides first appeared in 2023 and resurfaced in 2025. This is not a record of sudden deterioration but rather a slow, multi-year decline in the front-end geometry and rear underbody condition, which any prospective buyer should treat as an ongoing maintenance liability rather than a one-off rectification. The recorded mileage of 42,742 miles against a 17-year vehicle age equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 2,500 miles, which is substantially below the typical mileage profile for a city car of this vintage. While low annual mileage reduces wear on major drivetrain components such as the engine, clutch and gearbox internals, it also exposes the underbody, brake calipers, pivot points and rubber suspension bushes to prolonged periods of stationary exposure. The pattern of advisories here, particularly the rear axle and coil spring corrosion, the deteriorating front suspension bushes and the repeatedly flagged perished rear tyre, is highly consistent with the effects of low usage combined with age rather than wear from high mileage. There are no unusually long gaps between tests in the record provided, and the mileage progression is broadly steady, indicating that the vehicle has likely been used regularly if sparingly, rather than left laid up for extended periods. The mechanical consequence of this profile is that structural and rubber components are degrading from environmental exposure and natural rubber ageing rather than from accumulated mechanical stress. For a buyer considering this car, the immediate priority is a thorough physical inspection of the front suspension and steering assembly with the wheels off the ground, since the MOT history flags wear across multiple interrelated components. The steering rack inner joint play on both sides has been noted for at least three consecutive years and warrants checking for any worsening clonking or knocking through the steering wheel when turning lock to lock at low speed, particularly over speed humps or uneven surfaces. The de-bonding offside front suspension arm bush and worn upper Macpherson strut bushes on both sides should be inspected for visible cracking, separation of the rubber from the metal housing, and any vertical or lateral movement in the strut top mounts under hand pressure. On the road, listen for clonks from the front corners over bumps, vagueness or slack in the steering around the straight-ahead position, and any pulling or wandering that might indicate the worn bushes are now allowing geometry to shift under load. The nearside front shock absorber upper mount wear should also prompt a check for dashboard-transmitted knocking on rough roads and any visible fluid misting on the strut body. Underneath the car, the recurring rear axle corrosion advisory requires close scrutiny of the rear beam axle, its mounting points, brake pipe runs along the axle and the coil spring seats, as corrosion in these areas can progress between MOTs and is not always fully visible from above. The buyer should jack the vehicle securely and inspect the rear axle tubes, spring pans and any brake line brackets for surface rust versus structural scaling, paying particular attention to whether the corrosion is cosmetic or has begun to thin the metal. The offside rear tyre perishing noted across multiple tests suggests the rubber compound is ageing regardless of tread depth, so all four tyres should be examined for sidewall cracking and replaced as a set if significant deterioration is present. Finally, the exhaust back box corrosion flagged in 2023 and 2025, combined with the upper steering column knock noted in 2024, warrants a check for exhaust blowing at the rear joint during idle and any audible rattle or slack when adjusting the steering column position. A pre-purchase inspection on a ramp with these specific items in mind is strongly advisable before committing to purchase.