2018 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · EU68 HRP

The 2018 FIAT 500 presents a mixed maintenance picture. The most recent MOT, conducted on 7 July 2025 at 26,342 miles, passed but flagged five distinct advisories, indicating a clear deterioration in condition compared to the clean bills of health recorded in 2022 and 2024. The trend is worsening. Both front brake discs were noted as worn, pitted, or scored, and both nearside and offside tyres were worn close to the legal limit on their edges. A separate advisory for rear sub-frame corrosion, noted as not seriously weakened, introduces a structural concern that demands immediate physical inspection. The vehicle has clearly spent a period stationary or lightly used, allowing corrosion to establish itself on underbody components while consumable wear has accelerated recently. The mileage profile is exceptionally low for an eight-year-old vehicle. Between the first test on 1 July 2022 at 12,771 miles and the most recent test on 7 July 2025 at 26,342 miles, the car covered just 13,571 miles over three years, averaging roughly 4,500 miles annually. The jump from 22,108 miles in July 2024 to 26,342 miles in July 2025 alone accounts for 4,234 miles in a single year, a notable spike after years of minimal use. This pattern suggests the vehicle stood idle for extended periods before being driven more frequently in the last twelve months. Prolonged sitting is a known catalyst for brake disc surface corrosion, tyre flat-spotting, and moisture ingress into sub-frame mounting points, all of which align precisely with the defects now appearing on the record. A prospective buyer should prioritise a thorough underbody inspection focused on the rear sub-frame corrosion flagged in the July 2025 test. Surface corrosion can be cosmetic, but any pitting or flaking around mounting points and bushings warrants a closer look with a torch and probe. The front brake discs showing pitting and scoring suggest the pads may have been left against stationary discs during long periods of inactivity. Check disc thickness and run-out, and inspect the pad condition for uneven wear. The edge wear on both nearside and offside tyres points to either under-inflation, aggressive cornering, or worn suspension geometry, specifically tracking and camber settings. Inspect the inner and outer sidewalls carefully, and verify the date codes to confirm age, as perished rubber from the 2023 failure may still be present if those tyres were not replaced.