2009 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · AO58 VBX

The most recent MOT, passed on 2 December 2025 at 108,392 miles, is now over six months old, so its currency is fading. The maintenance trend is clearly worsening. In the December 2025 failure, the tester flagged an excessively worn Offside Front suspension arm pin or bush, incorrect headlamp aim on both sides, and a cut in the Nearside Front tyre. The subsequent pass on the same day at 108,390 miles confirms these were rectified, yet the same test still recorded a catalogue of underlying advisories: corrosion on both sub-frames, worn Macpherson strut top mounts, corroded coil springs on all four corners, a minor exhaust leak, a defective exhaust mounting, and front brake imbalance only just meeting minimum standards. This is not a clean bill of health. It is a pass propped up by last-minute repairs while the chassis and suspension remain in a persistently tired state. Mileage accumulation is broadly typical for a 2009 vehicle, averaging roughly 6,376 miles per year. The record shows 106,072 miles in December 2023, 107,457 miles in November 2024, and 108,392 miles in December 2025, indicating consistent annual use of around 900 to 1,400 miles per year in recent years. There are no alarming gaps or sudden spikes in the data. The vehicle has been used regularly but gently, which makes the extent of corrosion and suspension wear more concerning rather than less, as it suggests age-related deterioration rather than high-mileage abuse. A buyer should treat the sub-frame corrosion as the primary structural concern. Both front and rear sub-frames have been flagged for corrosion across multiple tests, most recently in December 2025, with the tester noting corrosion present but not yet seriously weakened. That qualifier can change rapidly on a seventeen-year-old small car, especially if winter road salt exposure continues. The coil springs are corroded on all four corners, and the front lower suspension arm bush on the Offside was excessively worn at the most recent failure. Worn strut top mounts compound the issue. These are not consumable items that degrade gracefully; they affect ride quality, handling predictability, and tyre wear. A physical inspection of the sub-frame mounting points, spring condition, and bush play is essential before purchase. The braking system also warrants close attention. Front brake imbalance was only just met in the December 2025 pass, suggesting a binding caliper, uneven disc wear, or a hydraulic issue that has not been fully resolved. Rear brake hose ferrules showed corrosion in the November 2024 test, and while this may have been addressed, it points to a pattern of brake component neglect. The exhaust system has a recurring minor leak and defective mounting, which could worsen emissions compliance and noise. Tyre condition has been flagged twice, with a cut noted in the most recent test. Any replacement tyre should be checked for sidewall integrity. Overall, this Fiat 500 presents as a cosmetically maintained but mechanically fatigued vehicle where corrosion and suspension wear are advancing faster than the mileage alone would suggest.