FIAT PUNTO2002 · 1.2L PETROL

The vehicle remains in a questionable state of roadworthiness given the history of recurring mechanical and structural failures. While it passed its last recorded test in December 2021 at 51,016 miles, the car has not undergone an MOT in four and a half years. The maintenance trend shows a pattern of reactive rather than proactive care, evidenced by the significant failures in 2020 and 2021 where multiple safety items were only addressed after failing inspection rather than during during routine servicing. The mileage profile is exceptionally low for a 24-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 2,100 miles per year. However, the data shows a significant gap in records between June 2019 and December 2020, during which the car covered over 8,000 miles in eighteen months. Such low-mileage often correlates with degradation of rubber-based components and accelerated corrosion, which aligns with the reported corroded brake pipes and exhaust leaks. The lack of any testing since 2021 means the current state of these critical components is entirely unknown. A physical inspection must prioritise the structural integrity of the seat frames and the condition of the braking system. The 2020 failure flagged a defective structure on the offside front seat, which is a serious safety concern that often goes overlooked or poorly repaired. The buyer should also inspect the brake pipes for advanced corrosion, as this was a recurring issue in both 2020 and 2021. Given the history of oil leaks and the failure of a rear wheel bearing, the engine bay and suspension assembly should be checked for active leaks and perished perished, which are common in vehicles that sit stationary for long periods.