2009 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · DA09 WNH

A consistent run of clean MOT passes stretching back through 2022 defines the mechanical profile of this 2009 Fiat 500, with the most recent test on 3 September 2025 returning a pass and zero defects recorded. Across five consecutive examinations there is not a single advisory, advisory category, or failure entry to draw upon, which indicates that the inspected components have remained within prescribed limits at every annual check. While the absence of advisories is generally reassuring, it can occasionally reflect short or surface-level test conditions rather than the true underlying state of wear items such as suspension linkages or brake components, so physical inspection remains essential before purchase. At 49,833 miles over a seventeen-year life, this example has averaged roughly 2,931 miles per year, a notably low annual accumulation rate for a car of this vintage. The mileage sequence shows a steady, almost flat progression between tests, with no abrupt jumps or sudden surges that might suggest a change of use, a long motorway tour, or odometer irregularity. Low annual mileage can reduce wear on high-cycle items such as the clutch, brake friction material, and engine internals, but it also raises the possibility of extended periods of standing, which can be punishing for components that rely on regular heat cycles and movement. Rubber seals, coolant hoses, driveline gaiters, and the ageing 1.2 or 1.4 unit typically fitted to this generation can all suffer from prolonged inactivity even when overall mileage remains modest. Because the DVSA file does not flag any specific component, the buyer must rely on a hands-on evaluation. On a test drive, listen carefully for clonks or knocks from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, particularly from the lower wishbone bushes and anti-roll bar drop links, which are known weak points on the modern 500 and tend to perish well before any mileage-related wear would be expected. Feel for any vagueness in the steering around the straight-ahead, uneven tyre wear suggesting geometry misalignment, or a binding or juddering brake pedal that might point to a seized caliper slide or a corroded rear drum mechanism, all of which can hide behind a clean advisory sheet. Given the low annual mileage, particular attention should also be paid to areas that suffer from standing rather than driving. Inspect the coolant and expansion tank hoses for hardening and surface cracking, check the condition of the auxiliary belt for glazing, and look for any signs of oil misting around the cam cover or rocker gasket, which can indicate seals drying out. The exhaust should be examined for internal corrosion, as a stainless or mild-steel system left unused for long stretches will often rot from the inside out long before external rust becomes obvious. A pre-purchase inspection on a ramp, combined with a thorough road test covering broken surfaces, tight turns, and a series of moderate to firm brake applications, will be the most reliable way to confirm that this Fiat 500 is as sound underneath as its unbroken MOT record suggests.