2018 Abarth 595 1.4L Petrol · HA11 AAA

A persistent pattern of edge-worn tyres is the defining mechanical characteristic of this Abarth 595's roadworthiness record, surfacing at every single MOT test in the available history. The vehicle passed on 14 January 2026 alongside a new advisory regarding a slightly worn upper shock absorber bush on the nearside rear, continuing the trend of advisory-only outcomes with no failures recorded. Edge wear on the front tyres appeared consistently from 2021 through 2024, with both rears flagged in 2022 and 2025, and cuts noted on the fronts in 2024. The shift in advisory focus during the latest test from tyres to rear suspension suggests the rubber has been renewed but the underlying geometry causing the wear may remain unaddressed. With 40,964 miles recorded across an eight-year life, the Abarth has averaged roughly 5,120 miles annually, which is modest for a performance-oriented hatchback and consistent with second-car, weekend, or fair-weather usage. There is a noticeable gap between the November 2022 test and the absence of a 2023 entry, though this simply reflects a change in testing cycle rather than extended lay-up. Low annual mileage of this nature typically preserves the engine internals and major drivetrain components from high-cycle wear, but it does concentrate stress on items that degrade with age regardless of use, such as rubber bushes, brake flex lines, coolant hoses, and the 12V battery. The relatively even mileage accumulation across the tests indicates no abrupt changes in usage that would suggest a period of heavy work or motorway commuting. For a prospective buyer, the suspension advisory recorded at the latest test warrants close physical inspection. The nearside rear upper shock absorber bush should be examined for perishing, cracking, or visible play, ideally with the wheel unloaded and the body gently rocked to feel for any knocking or slack in the rear suspension linkage. On a test drive, listen for clonks or rattles from the rear over uneven surfaces, particularly speed humps and broken tarmac, and pay attention to whether the rear end feels unsettled or imprecise through direction changes. Given that the Abarth 595 is a tuned, relatively stiff vehicle, any additional deterioration in the rear bushes will be more perceptible than in a standard 500. The recurring front tyre edge wear across multiple test cycles is the most telling signal and points toward an alignment or suspension geometry issue rather than simple tyre ageing. A buyer should check the camber and toe figures on a four-wheel alignment printout from any recent work, and inspect the front strut top mounts, wishlist bushes, and drop links for splitting or excessive movement. Steering should feel precise with no pulling to either side under braking or acceleration, and there should be no vibration through the wheel rim at speed. Finally, the nearside front has previously suffered a nail in the tyre, so a thorough check of the inner sidewall and the spare wheel location for any repair patches is worthwhile, and the rear brake discs and callipers should be inspected for corrosion given the low annual mileage, as lightly used vehicles frequently seize handbrake mechanisms and develop surface rust on infrequently applied braking surfaces.