2013 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · GF63 FYE

This 2013 Fiat 500 presents a mixed maintenance picture that warrants careful scrutiny. The most recent MOT, conducted on 11 November 2025 at 76,447 miles, passed, but the record reveals a pattern of recurring suspension and structural corrosion advisories that has persisted across multiple test cycles. The overall trend is one of gradual deterioration in certain areas rather than resolution. The car failed its initial attempt on the same day due to a worn nearside front Macpherson strut top bush and insufficient washer fluid, both of which were rectified before the pass was issued. Critically, corrosion at both rear lower suspension spring mountings has appeared consistently since at least November 2025, flagged as not excessive at that time but representing an ongoing structural concern that demands monitoring. The mileage profile tells an interesting story. At 76,447 miles over approximately 13 years, the annual average sits at roughly 5,881 miles, which is notably low. The gap between the December 2024 pass at 75,780 miles and the November 2025 test at 76,447 miles shows only 667 miles covered in nearly 11 months. This suggests either very light use or a period of limited activity, which can be a double-edged sword. Low mileage reduces consumable wear but raises questions about whether the vehicle has been sitting idle for extended periods, potentially allowing seals to dry out, tyres to flat-spot, and corrosion to develop on components that would otherwise be kept in better condition through regular use. The recurring wear on Macpherson strut top bushes is a pattern worth noting. The offside front bush was flagged in the December 2024 failure, and the nearside front appeared in the November 2025 failure. This alternating side-to-side degradation suggests the front suspension has not received a comprehensive overhaul and that bush wear is progressing across both sides. A prospective buyer should have the front suspension inspected thoroughly, checking for play in the top mounts, deterioration of the bump stops, and condition of the coil springs themselves. The light oil misting noted on the offside rear shock absorber in December 2023 was minor at the time but should be re-examined to confirm it has not progressed to a full leak. The rear spring mounting corrosion is the most structurally significant finding. While both the November 2025 advisories were deemed not excessive under the testing standard, corrosion in a spring mounting prescribed area is a progressive condition. It weakens the structural integrity of the suspension mounting point and can worsen rapidly once initiated. A buyer should physically inspect these areas for flaking metal, pitting, or soft spots, particularly on the underside where road salt and moisture accumulate. The windscreen washer defect appearing in both the 2024 and 2025 failures is trivial in isolation but hints at a lack of basic pre-test preparation, which may reflect broader inattention to routine maintenance. Overall, this Fiat 500 is roadworthy today, but the suspension and corrosion history suggests it needs informed, ongoing monitoring rather than complacency.