2012 FIAT 5001.2L PETROL

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance trend shows a concerning pattern of deferred suspension repairs. In the most recent test in November 2025 at 82,615 miles, the car initially failed due to a compromised offside front suspension arm ball joint and a loose exhaust silencer. While it passed after these repairs were made, the presence of slight play in the same offside ball joint dating back to the November 2024 test suggests the component was monitored for a year rather than being replaced proactively. At 82,615 miles, this 14-year-old Fiat reflects low annual mileage, averaging approximately 5,900 miles per year. This low usage often leads to age-related degradation of rubber components rather than mechanical wear. The record supports this, with the 2024 test flagging perishing and cracking on multiple rear tyres and the 2023 test noting a corroded rear coil spring. The gap of roughly 6,000 miles between tests is consistent with this usage pattern that leaves parts prone to dry rot and oxidation. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the front suspension, as the ball joint and dust cover have appeared as recurring faults across multiple testing cycles. The inspector should check for further play in the steering arms and ensure the recent repair to the offside side was effective. Given the history of perishing tyres and corroded springs, the condition of all rubber sidewalls and the structural integrity of the coil springs should be verified to ensure the low-mileage status has not hidden environmental damage.