2014 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · CA14 XVL

The most recent DVSA examination on 5 February 2026 resulted in a Pass, though the test carried an unusually heavy advisory count that warrants careful attention. Five separate advisories were issued, including worn upper Macpherson strut pins or bushes on both the nearside and offside front, worn suspension arm pins or bushes on both sides, and continued light oil misting from the offside front shock absorber. When viewed alongside the January 2025 test, which recorded an outright failure for an excessively worn upper shock absorber bush at the nearside rear and an incorrect colour direction indicator at the offside rear, the picture suggests a progressively deteriorating front suspension rather than an isolated event. A vehicle returning from a previous failure with an expanded cluster of advisories on related components indicates that wear is advancing across the front axle and is unlikely to have stabilised without intervention. Recorded mileage of 49,534 miles over roughly twelve years equates to an average of approximately 4,100 miles annually, which is notably low for any car of this age and points toward extended periods of standing interspersed with shorter, lower-load journeys. Such a usage pattern typically suppresses wear on high-mileage items such as the clutch, gearbox internals, and major engine components, but it accelerates degradation of items affected by inactivity. Brake discs and calipers corrode and seize when left idle, exhaust systems suffer internal condensation corrosion, 12 volt battery cells sulphate prematurely, and tyres develop sidewall perishing even when tread depth remains adequate. The mileage itself does not raise drivetrain concerns, but calendar age clearly does. For a prospective buyer, the recurring front suspension advisories should be the primary focus of any physical inspection and test drive. With both upper strut pin or bush advisories and both suspension arm pin or bush advisories recorded at the latest test, the front suspension is showing wear on multiple components simultaneously, and the trajectory suggests these parts will progress to failure well before the next MOT is due. On a road test, listen for clonking or knocking from the front over uneven surfaces, particularly over speed humps and cat's eyes, and pay attention to any vagueness or delayed response in steering inputs. Visually inspect the top mounts and front wishbone bushes for cracking, splitting, or visible play when the wheel is rocked by hand. The persistent offside front shock absorber oil misting noted in both 2025 and 2026 also merits close inspection; the damper should be examined for any worsening seepage, and a bounce test at each corner should confirm the unit rebounds promptly without bouncing more than once. Beyond the documented suspension concerns, the very low annual mileage demands attention to several age-related items that the MOT test does not cover. Inspect all four tyres for sidewall cracking or perishing caused by age rather than wear, as the tread may remain legal while the rubber has hardened and become unsafe, particularly on a car of this vintage. Check that the brake calipers release cleanly without binding, as standing corrosion on the slider pins is common on low-use vehicles, and verify that the handbrake holds firmly on an incline. Confirm the production date of the 12 volt battery, as a unit older than five or six years is likely near the end of its service life regardless of condition. Finally, request evidence that brake fluid, coolant, and gearbox lubricant have been changed on a time basis rather than purely by mileage, since calendar-aged fluids degrade chemically and a service history showing only annual mileage-related work would be a concern for a twelve year old vehicle.