2014 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · AV64 VXO

The vehicle passed its most recent MOT test on 23 July 2026, though it was accompanied by three advisories that warrant careful attention from a prospective buyer. Evaluating the MOT history over the last four years, the maintenance trend is broadly stable in terms of pass outcomes, but there is a clear and worsening pattern of structural and suspension-related advisories that have progressed year on year. In 2023 the only advisory concerned tyre wear, while in 2024 rear coil spring corrosion was flagged on both sides, culminating in an outright failure for an excessively worn wishbone bush on the front suspension arm. The identical advisories relating to the rear coil springs, front suspension arm ball joint, and registration plate have now been repeated at successive tests in 2025 and 2026, indicating that none of these issues have been rectified and continue to be observed by the testing station. This recurrence strongly suggests deferred maintenance on the suspension and underbody components. With regard to recorded mileage, the vehicle has covered 88,324 miles over approximately twelve years, equating to an annual average of around 7,360 miles, which is reasonably typical for a small city car of this vintage. There are no glaring anomalies in the MOT records such as implausibly low readings or sudden unexplained jumps, suggesting that the mileage has accrued in a fairly consistent, steady manner. This level of usage means the drivetrain, clutch, and braking components have experienced moderate but not excessive wear, although items such as the clutch, dual mass flywheel if fitted, and exhaust system will have been subjected to ongoing thermal and mechanical stress consistent with urban and suburban driving. Turning to the recurring advisories, the rear coil spring corrosion noted on both sides represents a progressive structural concern. Coil springs are load-bearing safety-critical components, and surface corrosion can advance to pitting and ultimately fracture, particularly in areas where road salt is prevalent. On a test drive, a buyer should listen for any clonking or knocking from the rear suspension over uneven surfaces, and observe whether the vehicle sits level or shows any sagging at the rear. The nearside front suspension arm ball joint with slight play is a particularly important advisory, as ball joint wear can deteriorate rapidly once play is present and may ultimately lead to a failure. During inspection, the buyer should listen for creaking or knocking from the front end on full lock or when traversing speed bumps, and physically check the tyre inner edges for uneven wear, which often accompanies worn suspension joints. Given that a wishbone bush failure was recorded in 2024, any remaining bushes should be scrutinised for perishing, cracking, or separation. Beyond the advisories, a vehicle of this age and mileage warrants several time-based inspections irrespective of the MOT outcome. The braking system should be examined for corrosion on the discs, particularly around the outer edges, and for any signs of binding calipers that may cause pulling to one side under braking or uneven pad wear. Brake fluid should be replaced according to calendar intervals rather than mileage alone, as it is hygroscopic and degrades over time, and a fluid test strip or service record confirmation would be reassuring. The cooling system, timing belt if applicable to this Fiat 500 variant, and gearbox oil should similarly be verified against the manufacturer's schedule rather than assumed serviceable. Tyres should be inspected for sidewall cracking and perishing from age, the 12V battery tested for cranking strength, and the rear registration plate deterioration noted repeatedly should be addressed to prevent a future failure. Finally, a thorough underbody inspection for corrosion, particularly around suspension mounting points, subframe, and brake line runs, is strongly advised given the documented coil spring corrosion and the Fiat 500's known susceptibility to underbody rust in winter conditions.