2017 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · RO17 AAY

The vehicle’s most recent MOT tests—conducted just five months ago on 2 February 2026—show a clean pass with no defects recorded, despite the duplicate entry suggesting a rare administrative anomaly rather than a mechanical issue. Over the past five years, the car has maintained a consistent pass rate without advisories or major failures, indicating no obvious recurring problems. However, the February 2026 test’s proximity to the current date (24 July 2026) means the vehicle has not yet undergone its annual inspection, leaving a 5.5-month gap. While this is within the legal window, it raises questions about whether the owner has been diligent with interim maintenance, particularly given the car’s age and mileage. The recorded mileage of 88,673 miles at the last test reflects an average of approximately 9,853 miles per year, which aligns with typical usage for a vehicle of this age. There are no abrupt spikes or prolonged stagnation periods in the data—mileage increased steadily from 69,969 miles in February 2023 to 88,673 miles in February 2026, suggesting consistent driving habits without extreme wear patterns. The absence of gaps longer than a year between tests also implies the vehicle has not been left unused for extended periods, which could exacerbate issues like battery corrosion or suspension stiffness. Given the lack of recorded defects in recent MOTs, the primary focus for an in-person inspection should centre on high-wear components that often fail silently between tests. The suspension—particularly the coil springs, bushes, and dampers—should be examined for uneven sagging, excessive play, or corrosion, as these are common failure points in a nine-year-old vehicle. Brake discs and pads, while not flagged in the MOT history, warrant scrutiny for uneven wear or binding calipers, especially if the car has been driven hard or exposed to wet conditions. Additionally, the chassis and wheel arches should be inspected for signs of structural rust, particularly around the sills and wheel bearings, as this is a critical failure risk in Fiat 500s of this era. Finally, the exhaust system should be checked for leaks or excessive corrosion, as catalytic converter failures are increasingly common in older models.