2016 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · GL13 GGL

This 2016 Fiat 500 presents an essentially clean DVSA roadworthiness profile, with four successive PASS certificates on file and a single non-completion FAILED entry on 4 December 2025 that was almost immediately followed by a pass on the same day. The absence of any recorded advisories across five test cycles spanning 2022 through 2025 is noteworthy for a ten-year-old city car, indicating that the examiner found nothing significant enough to flag for attention on either the suspension, braking, exhaust, lighting, or structural integrity categories. While the failure/PASS pairing on consecutive dates suggests a tester-side or minor administrative retest rather than a genuine mechanical concern, any prospective buyer should still independently verify the circumstances of that event with the seller, as a same-day retest typically points to a trivial rectification such as a bulb replacement, a wiped-off number plate, or a screenwash top-up. Against its 2016 registration date, the recorded 26,583 miles equates to roughly 2,650 miles annually, which is well below the typical accumulation for a vehicle of this age and intended urban use. There are no mileage gaps or unexplained jumps between test entries, with each annual MOT showing a steady, modest increment consistent with light weekend or short-commute running. Mechanically, low annual mileage of this nature reduces wear on major drivetrain and braking components but increases the likelihood of issues stemming from prolonged standing periods, including brake disc corrosion from infrequent use, drying and perishing of rubber components such as suspension bushes, and potential moisture accumulation in the fuel system. A FIAT 500 of this vintage used so sparingly will have experienced far less friction surface consumption than typical examples, which is a positive sign for the braking and clutch systems, though it does warrant a closer inspection of items that degrade through age rather than mileage. On a physical inspection and test drive, particular attention should be directed to the brake system, as lightly used discs are prone to surface oxidation and lipping that can produce judder under pedal application. Listen for any scraping or grinding on the first few stops and feel for vibration through the pedal, which would indicate corrosion or uneven pad wear. Inspect the front and rear suspension for perished or cracked rubber bushes and check for knocking from the anti-roll bar linkages and wishbone bushes, which on the Fiat 500 are known to deteriorate with age regardless of mileage. Under the vehicle, examine the exhaust system for corrosion around the mounting brackets and joints, and check the underbody seams, wheel arches, and subframe mounting points for any surface rust, particularly given the car's ten-year exposure to winter road conditions. Additionally, verify the service history to confirm that age-sensitive items including the timing belt, coolant, and brake fluid have been replaced on schedule rather than purely by mileage interval. Fiat recommends timing belt replacement on this model on a time-or-mileage basis, and a vehicle covering only 26,000 miles over a decade may have missed this critical service if the owner relied solely on the odometer. On the test drive, ensure the engine reaches operating temperature promptly, listen for any timing chain rattle on cold start, and confirm smooth operation of the clutch and gear selector, as synchro wear and dual-mass flywheel issues can develop through low mileage irregular use. Finally, check for oil leaks around the cam cover gasket and the lower engine, a known weak area on the 1.2-litre FIRE engine, and verify that the 12-volt battery holds charge reliably, as prolonged standing periods commonly leave these units deeply discharged and prone to early failure.