2018 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · CU67 VRD

A pattern of recurring front-end wear defines the MOT history of this 2018 Fiat 500, with the same components flagged across multiple consecutive tests rather than isolated one-off defects. Both nearside and offside front tyres have been recorded as worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge in 2022, 2023, and again in the most recent 2025 test, suggesting either persistent tracking misalignment, aggressive front-axle geometry, or habitual short-trip driving that wears shoulders disproportionately. The December 2025 pass also introduced advisories on both front Macpherson strut ball joints for slight play, which had not been recorded previously and represents a new and notable development at the front suspension. A front brake disc was flagged for pitting and scoring on the inner face as far back as 2021, and the rear number plate lamp was recorded as inoperative in the same year. No failures have been recorded across six tests, but the accumulation of advisories concentrated on the front axle suggests progressive deterioration rather than a clean bill of health. At 33,348 recorded miles over roughly eight years, this Fiat accumulates around 4,168 miles annually, which is notably low for its age and indicates a vehicle that has either been used primarily for short urban journeys or spent extended periods stationary between uses. Low annual mileage of this nature reduces wear on major drivetrain and engine internals but places specific stress on components that suffer when a car is not driven regularly, including brake discs corroding or pitting through lack of use, suspension joints seizing or developing play, and tyres developing flat spots or uneven shoulder wear from being left under load. The relatively even spacing of the six recorded MOT tests suggests the vehicle has not been off the road for multi-year stretches, though the long gap between January and July 2021 is consistent with the COVID-era period when many vehicles saw reduced use or delayed testing. The repeated front tyre advisories, combined with the brake disc pitting, are broadly consistent with a low-mileage, short-trip usage profile. For a prospective buyer, the Macpherson strut ball joint play recorded on both sides in late 2025 is the most pressing area to investigate, as this component sits at the top of the front struts where they mount to the chassis and is responsible for steering precision and suspension articulation. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over speed bumps, on uneven road surfaces, or when turning the steering to full lock at low speed, as these are classic symptoms of worn strut top mounts and ball joints. Any vagueness, wandering, or reluctance to self-centre in the steering, or visible movement of the wheel when gripped at the front and rocked vertically, would confirm the advisories are worsening and the struts may now require replacement rather than just monitoring. The recurring front tyre edge wear across four separate tests is another area warranting close physical inspection, as the buyer should check the current tread depth across the full width of both front tyres, not just the central grooves, and look for feathering or stepped wear on the inner or outer shoulders that would suggest camber or toe misalignment. The 2021 advisory for a pitted front brake disc on its inner face should be checked by feeling for a sharp lip on the disc edge, listening for brake judder or vibration through the pedal under moderate stopping, and verifying whether the disc has been replaced or skimmed since. The deteriorated rear registration plate flagged in 2025 is cosmetic only, though a replacement plate would resolve it. Given the front-end focus of every recorded advisory, a pre-purchase inspection with the vehicle raised on a ramp would be advisable to inspect the strut assemblies, lower suspension arms, anti-roll bar drop links, and front subframe for any corrosion that has not yet been recorded but could reasonably be expected given the component age and the pattern of front-axle wear already documented.