1991 Fiat NEW Fiat Comf 2.4L Diesel · H677 CHG

The defining mechanical characteristic of this 35 year old FIAT is a cluster of recurring front brake and front suspension advisories that have appeared across the last three test attempts in 2026, ultimately culminating in a pass on 11 June after two prior failures that were technically recorded as advisories but clearly represent components on the threshold of failure. The pattern centres on the front axle: both nearside and offside front service brakes have been flagged as binding though not excessively on every visit since April 2026, and the nearside front suspension arm bush plus the nearside track rod end ball joint with slight play have repeated across the same period, alongside an offside front brake hose that is showing deterioration. While the vehicle passed its most recent test, the sheer repetition of these items within a two month window suggests progressive wear rather than intermittent glitches. Earlier in 2025 the picture was different, with attention split between a defective exhaust mounting, a noisy offside rear wheel bearing, a severely deteriorated offside front CV boot recorded as a minor, and a failure on 11 April 2025 caused by a rough nearside front wheel bearing, excessive play in the offside front wheel bearing, and a nearside headlamp beam image that was obviously incorrect. Taken together the history points to a chassis where front end consumables, particularly braking and steering hardware, are deteriorating in tandem. At 143,644 miles over roughly 35 years, the annual accumulation works out at approximately 4,104 miles per year, which is exceptionally low for a vehicle of this vintage and well below the typical 7,000 to 10,000 miles expected of a regularly used car. This low figure raises the likelihood that the FIAT has either spent significant periods off the road, or has been used predominantly for short, low speed journeys, both of which carry their own mechanical consequences. Extended standing time tends to dry out suspension bushes, corrode brake hydraulic components, and allow moisture to settle into wheel bearings, all of which align with the pattern of binding calipers, deteriorated brake hoses, perished CV boots, and noisy or rough wheel bearings recorded on this car. Conversely, if the mileage was genuinely accumulated, the wear on a 143,000 mile chassis should be expected across engine, gearbox, and drivetrain internals, none of which are visible on the MOT record but should not be overlooked in any physical inspection. A prospective test drive should focus squarely on the front end components that the DVSA examiner has repeatedly flagged. For the binding front brakes, the most telling symptom is a sensation that the car does not roll freely on a flat road after the handbrake is released and the footbrake is fully lifted, accompanied by a pulling or dragging sensation to one side under gentle throttle, and possibly a hot or acrid smell from the front wheels immediately after a short drive. For the worn nearside front suspension arm bush and the track rod end with slight play, listen for clonking or knocking noises transmitted through the body when traversing speed humps or uneven surfaces, and feel for vagueness or a slight delay in steering response, particularly over centre. Check the offside front brake hose by asking the seller to apply firm footbrake pressure with the engine running and looking for any bulging, cracking, or weeping at the hose body, as braided rubber hoses of this age are prone to internal swelling well before they visibly split. The offside front CV boot noted as severely deteriorated in 2025 should be inspected by hand at the inboard and outboard joints for fresh grease leakage and torn rubber, and any subsequent test drive should be conducted in tight circles to expose a failing joint as a rhythmic clicking under load. Additional attention should be paid to items that appeared in the 2025 record and could plausibly resurface. The offside rear wheel bearing flagged as slightly noisy on two consecutive tests warrants a road check at 30 to 50 mph in a quiet environment, listening for a low frequency hum that rises and falls with road speed and may change as the vehicle lightly corners, indicating play in the bearing race. The nearside headlamp beam aim failure from April 2025 should be rechecked by simply standing in front of the car at night against a flat wall to confirm the beam pattern is flat and parallel rather than kicking sharply upward. Finally, the defective exhaust mounting should be examined underneath for fractured rubber hangers and excessive movement of the exhaust pipe when rocked by hand, as a collapsing mounting can transfer stress to the manifold and catalyse downstream leaks. Given that the front brake and steering wear pattern has been visible across three consecutive tests, any negotiation on price should account for the realistic cost of replacing both front caliper or carrier mechanisms, a track rod end, a suspension arm bush, and aged brake hoses as a single package of preventative rectification.