2016 Fiat 124 1.4L Petrol · CS02 JCS

The mechanical profile of this 2016 FIAT 124 is dominated by a clear and recurring pattern of rear suspension bush wear, complemented by two separate rear wheel distortion advisories that suggest either impact damage or prolonged kerbing. Across four consecutive annual MOTs from 2022 through 2025, every test has produced at least one advisory relating to rear suspension component pins or bushes, with both sides flagged each time and the wear description progressing from "worn but not resulting in excessive movement" in 2022 and 2023 to "slightly worn" by 2025. The rear wheels themselves were first noted as slightly distorted in 2022, recurred in 2025, and were carried forward as advisories when the car failed on the same date for both wiper blades clearing inadequately before immediately passing after rectification. The 2024 test introduced pitted rear brake discs and thinning inner rear brake pads, indicating that the braking system is now into a wear cycle that warrants close inspection. Mileage accumulation is broadly consistent with typical use for a ten-year-old vehicle, with the 68,504 recorded miles equating to approximately 6,850 miles per year over the recorded testing period. There are no significant gaps in the MOT record and no evidence of prolonged off-road status, which means the wear patterns observed are likely the result of active service rather than the typical deterioration associated with long-term standing. The annual mileage is not high enough to suggest aggressive motorway use, but it is sufficient to have generated realistic wear on consumable braking components and suspension bushes, and the consistency of testing suggests the vehicle has been used as an everyday or regular secondary car without extended periods of inactivity. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the rear suspension geometry on a test drive, listening for clonks or knocks over uneven surfaces and rough roads, particularly when traversing speed humps or potholes from the offside rear. The upper front and outer front rear bushes flagged in 2025 should be inspected for any visible cracking, perished rubber, or excessive play when the rear wheels are manually rocked by an assistant. The rear wheels described as slightly distorted should be examined for visible buckling or run-out, and the vehicle should be driven at low speed to detect any steering wheel oscillation or shimmy that might indicate the distortion has worsened to a point where balancing alone will not cure the vibration. The rear brake discs, last noted as pitted in 2024, should be checked for lipping, scoring depth, and any pulsation through the brake pedal under firm application, while the inner rear pads should be physically inspected for remaining friction material thickness. Beyond the recorded advisories, the buyer should satisfy themselves that the wiper linkage and motor, the cause of the only outright failure in the record, is functioning correctly across the full sweep and that both blades clear the screen without smearing. The nearside front nail noted in 2024 confirms the car has been driven on roads where sharp debris is present, so a thorough check of all four tyre sidewalls and inner shoulders is advisable, particularly given the offside front tyre damage noted on the same date. Given the repeated rear component wear pattern, a raised inspection on a ramp would be prudent to check for rear subframe corrosion, exhaust mounting integrity, and any signs of oil seepage from the rear differential or hub assemblies, areas not covered by the MOT visual inspection but consistent with the recorded component history.