2010 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · AP06 ANE

A clear pattern of chassis and suspension corrosion has emerged across every MOT entry for this Fiat 500 from 2022 onwards, and this is the single most important mechanical theme for any prospective buyer to weigh. The most recent test on 18 June 2026 produced a pass, but it was not clean: a Major defect was originally recorded for an offside front position lamp failure before rectification allowed the vehicle to pass later the same day. The accompanying advisories on that test flagged a corroded rear exhaust silencer, rear axle corrosion, front subframe corrosion that is not yet seriously weakened, an offside rear brake binding slightly, and a nearside rear coil spring corroded. Coil spring corrosion has now been recorded on three consecutive annual tests covering all four corners, and rear axle corrosion has appeared at every single test since 2022. This is not a record showing improving condition; it is a record of steadily accumulating structural and suspension surface corrosion typical of a city car that has spent its life exposed to wet roads and winter salt. Annual mileage for this 16 year old vehicle is recorded at 41,800 miles, equating to roughly 2,612 miles per year, which is notably low for the age. MOT tests have appeared annually without significant gaps since 2022, suggesting the car has been in regular but light use rather than laid up for extended periods. The first recorded entry in 2022 is also the most recent early failure, with headlamp aim defects on both sides recorded as present but not causing an immediate test failure. Mechanically, low annual mileage reduces wear on internal drivetrain components such as the engine, clutch and gearbox, but it does nothing to slow corrosion of underbody components and can actually accelerate it where short journeys prevent the car from fully drying out. The repeated advisories on brake binding, one on the nearside front in 2024 and one on the offside rear in 2026, are also consistent with a car that sees only limited use, as callipers can seize lightly through infrequent operation. A close inspection underneath the vehicle is essential before purchase, with particular attention to the rear axle, the front subframe mounting points and all four coil spring seats. Corrosion flagged at advisory level can progress quickly on a Fiat 500 of this era, so any visible bubbling, flaking or perforation around the rear axle tubes, subframe brackets or spring platforms should be treated as a negotiating point or a reason to walk away. The exhaust system has been flagged at every test from 2022 onwards, initially for a defective downpipe mounting, then for a minor gas leak at the flexi pipe in 2024 and 2025, and now for a corroded loose rear silencer, suggesting the entire system may be approaching the end of its service life and could require full replacement. On a test drive, listen for any clonks or knocks from the rear over uneven surfaces, which could indicate the nearside rear coil spring is fracturing rather than merely surface-corroded, and pay attention to steering pull or uneven braking that could suggest the offside rear brake binding is worsening. The brake binding advisories warrant a specific road check. With the engine running and the handbrake released, roll the car gently on level ground in neutral and listen for any rotational scraping or resistance from the rear wheels, particularly the offside, which would confirm a sticking caliper rather than a transient advisory. The front brake binding noted in 2024 should also be rechecked, as binding on both axles over time suggests a pattern rather than an isolated sticking piston. Front tyres were flagged as worn close to the legal limit on both inner edges in 2022 and 2023, which on a front-wheel-drive hatchback typically points to worn lower suspension linkages, anti-roll bar bushes or track rod ends, so any knocking from the suspension or vague steering response during a test drive should be investigated promptly. Finally, verify that the offside front position lamp and both headlamps are functioning correctly and properly aimed, as these lighting defects have appeared more than once and the headlamp aim failure in 2022 was on both sides simultaneously.