2016 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · CE16 SSK

A pattern of suspension wear and tyre deterioration is the defining mechanical narrative of this Fiat 500, with the most recent test on 7 January 2026 passing but flagging both front tyres as worn close to the legal limit and on their edges, alongside slightly worn bushes on both rear upper shock absorber mountings. The two earlier tests in 2025 and 2024 show a recurring theme, with advisories in 2025 covering worn upper bushes on the rear shock absorbers (both sides) and a nearside rear tyre similarly worn on the edge, while the 2024 entry records a Major failure for fractured coil springs on both front corners. That fractured spring issue was rectified prior to the vehicle passing the same day, and the car then returned a clean pass with no advisories in early 2023, indicating that while the roadworthy outcome has been consistent, the underlying wear pattern affecting springs, shock bushes, and tyres has been a persistent theme over the testing cycle. The recorded mileage of 27,345 miles across ten years equates to roughly 2,734 miles annually, which is unusually low for a city-oriented supermini of this type and points to a vehicle that has either been used very lightly, stored for extended periods, or driven predominantly for short, low-speed journeys. Mechanically, such a usage profile is a double-edged consideration: lower mileage typically preserves the engine, transmission, and clutch internals from wear, but prolonged standing or only short trips can accelerate corrosion of underbody components, dry out rubber bushes, encourage moisture accumulation in the braking system, and leave consumables such as tyres, brake fluid, and shock absorbers susceptible to age-related degradation rather than distance-based wear. The fact that the MOT record already shows fractured front coil springs and worn rear shock bushes on a car of this mileage is consistent with age and standing time taking a toll on the suspension and tyre rubber rather than accumulated high-mileage wear. For a prospective buyer, the fractured front coil springs that triggered a Major failure in January 2024 are the most significant historical event and warrant careful inspection to confirm the quality and correctness of the replacement springs, ensuring they are matched units of the correct specification and that the strut assemblies were reassembled properly. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the front suspension over bumps and rough surfaces, which can indicate a compromised spring seat, top mount, or that the replacement spring has itself deteriorated. Pay particular attention to the way the car behaves over uneven roads, as worn rear upper shock bushes will allow rear axle movement and can produce a vague, unsettled feel from the back end, particularly when cornering or braking over undulations. With both front tyres recently flagged as edge-worn, inspect the tread pattern for uneven wear across the shoulders, which on a small Fiat 500 commonly points to incorrect tracking, worn suspension geometry, or weak springs allowing excessive camber change under load. A thorough physical inspection should include placing hand pressure on each corner of the car and releasing firmly, watching for excessive bouncing that would suggest the rear shock absorbers themselves have weakened alongside the worn upper bushes. Check the rear tyres carefully for inner or outer edge wear, as the recurring advisories for edge wear on multiple tyres suggest an alignment or suspension geometry issue that may not have been fully resolved. Inspect the underside for any corrosion, particularly around the subframe, suspension arms, and brake pipe runs, given the low mileage and likely short journeys. Finally, verify that the braking system feels firm and progressive, with no pulling to one side, and confirm the brake fluid date, as the car has clearly seen extended periods of light use where moisture contamination in the hydraulic system is a realistic concern.