2012 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · CE12 PBY

A consistently clean MOT record defines this 2012 FIAT 500, with four consecutive passes recorded at annual intervals from 2022 through 2025 and a single earlier failure on 2022-04-25 that carries no defect entries, indicating the issue was either rectified at the time of test or was an administrative or tyre-related matter that was not formally recorded against the vehicle. The most recent assessment on 2025-04-16 returned a pass with no advisories or defects, continuing a stable trend that offers reassurance regarding basic roadworthiness and statutory compliance. The absence of advisories across four years is notable for a 14-year-old city car, suggesting that the consumable items typically monitored at MOT such as suspension components, brake condition, exhaust integrity, and corrosion have not yet crossed the advisory threshold in the examiner's judgement. Mileage stands at 99,972 against a vehicle age of approximately 14 years, yielding an annual accumulation of roughly 7,141 miles, which is broadly typical for a small urban runabout of this vintage. There are no apparent testing gaps or significant intervals of dormancy in the MOT sequence, with the 2022-2025 entries arriving at near-uniform annual spacing, indicating continuous road use rather than extended off-road periods. This consistent usage pattern is mechanically beneficial in many respects, as regular driving tends to keep seals, brakes, and battery systems active, though it does mean that the engine, gearbox, and clutch have accumulated considerable working hours relative to a lower-mileage example. Given the absence of recorded advisories, there is no specific component flagged by DVSA examiners that demands urgent attention, yet the mileage places several items into the category of likely wear. The 1.2-litre petrol engine fitted to most 500s of this era should be checked for timing chain noise on cold start, as this unit is known to exhibit chain stretch at higher mileages, alongside any signs of oil misting around the cam cover or sump. On the test drive, listen for any clonking from the front suspension over speed humps, as the lower wishbone bushes and anti-roll bar drop links on this platform are prone to wear, and feel for any pulling to one side under braking which could suggest a binding front caliper given the mileage accrued. Brake pedal feel should be firm and consistent, with no excessive travel or pulling, and the rear drum brakes should be inspected for adjustment and condition, as these are often overlooked. The electric power steering system on the 500 is susceptible to noise and occasional failure, so a quick check of steering smoothness through full lock is worthwhile, and the clutch should be tested on a hill to confirm no slip under load. With high mileage but a clean test record, a thorough pre-purchase inspection by a specialist familiar with the Fiat 500 platform is the most prudent step to verify the condition of items not always captured at MOT, such as the gearbox synchros, clutch wear, and any early signs of underfloor corrosion common to urban-driven examples.