2018 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · FH18 PLV

A Fiat 500 of this vintage carrying 21,232 miles across eight years presents a low-usage profile, and the MOT record reflects a vehicle that has generally remained compliant but with two notable failures that warrant attention. The most recent test on 14 May 2026 returned a clean pass with no advisories, which continues a stable trend across the latter half of the recorded history, with passes in 2024 and 2023 also free from recorded defects. However, the earlier part of the timeline is less reassuring. The July 2022 test was failed on the day before a pass was issued, with both windscreen wipers failing to clear effectively and the front fog lamps and main beam headlamps found not to be working. The 2021 test also resulted in a fail, with dangerous tread depth readings on both front tyres and a defective rear position lamp. These incidents suggest intermittent attention to bulbs, wiper condition, and tyre replacement rather than any ongoing structural or mechanical deterioration. The annual mileage of approximately 2,654 miles is substantially below the typical accumulation for a city car of this age, and the testing record shows roughly annual intervals from 2021 onwards with no significant gaps that would suggest long periods off the road. This pattern of light, fairly consistent use means wear on major mechanical components such as brakes, clutch, and suspension is likely to be modest, though low-mileage vehicles can develop their own issues related to infrequent use. Rubber components including drive belts, bushes, and tyres can deteriorate through age rather than mileage, and given that the front tyres had to be replaced at the 2021 test, an inspection of current tyre age and condition is advisable even with relatively low miles on the odometer. Given the advisory notes from the 2025 test, particular attention should be paid to the inner edges of both front tyres, which were recorded as worn close to the legal limit. On a test drive, listen for any steering pull or uneven tracking that might indicate alignment issues causing inner-edge wear, and check the sidewalls for cracking or perishing consistent with age rather than mileage. Inspect the tread across the full width of the tyre, not just the central portion, as inner-edge wear can be masked by otherwise adequate central tread. The front suspension should be examined for worn wishbone bushes or top mount deterioration, both of which can contribute to uneven tyre wear patterns on a light, short-wheelbase vehicle such as this. The lighting and wiper defects recorded in 2021 and 2022 are worth verifying on a pre-purchase inspection, as they point to electrical and minor maintenance items that have historically been overlooked. Check operation of both main beam headlamps, front fog lamps, and all position lamps, and confirm that the wipers clear the screen effectively across the full sweep without smearing or chatter. With the vehicle being eight years old, also examine the condition of all exterior rubber seals, the rear lamp units for water ingress, and the condition of the battery, given the low annual mileage which can lead to a battery that has not been regularly charged to full capacity. A thorough road test should include checks for any suspension knocks over uneven surfaces, brake pedal feel, and any warning lights illuminated on the dashboard, as the MOT record alone cannot verify the present operational state of these systems.