2018 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · KT08 POW

A recurring theme of front-end tyre failures, headlamp alignment, and minor electrical issues defines the roadworthiness profile of this 2018 Fiat 500, with two dangerous tyre tread depth failures within a five-month window being particularly noteworthy. The 2025-11-26 test stands as the most recent pass with a single advisory for slight perishing on the offside rear tyre, continuing a pattern where tyre condition has been flagged at almost every annual assessment since 2021. Two separate dangerous failures for nearside front tyre tread depth below 1.6mm were recorded in 2022-11-09 and 2023-11-25, alongside a major failure for headlamp aim being too high on the same side in late 2023. The intervening passes have otherwise been free of advisory items, but the concentration of lighting, wiper, washer, and registration plate lamp defects across consecutive tests suggests intermittent attention to basic serviceable items rather than any structural concern. With 51,160 miles recorded over roughly eight years of use, this vehicle averages approximately 6,395 miles per year, which sits within typical parameters for a city-oriented supermini of this age. The mileage progression between tests has been steady and consistent, with no significant gaps in MOT history that would suggest prolonged periods off the road. This level of annual usage is consistent with the wear patterns observed in the brake and tyre advisories, as moderate but regular urban driving tends to produce even wear across front axle components while still accumulating mileage sufficient to require periodic tyre replacement. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the nearside front tyre during any inspection, as two separate dangerous failures at this position within twelve months indicate either a steering geometry issue causing uneven inner or outer edge wear, or simply a pattern of running the tyre down to the legal minimum before replacement. Inspect both front tyres closely for uneven tread wear across the width, and check the nearside front headlamp alignment against a flat wall, as the previous major failure for aim being too high could recur if the adjuster mechanism has not been secured properly. The front brake pads and discs were flagged as wearing thin in late 2022, so confirm during a test drive that there is no grinding noise or excessive pedal travel under firm braking, and listen for any judder through the steering wheel which would suggest disc run-out following pad wear. The recurring minor defects for the nearside rear registration plate lamp failing to illuminate suggest a possible wiring or earth issue at the rear light cluster, which is worth checking by operating all lighting functions during a pre-purchase inspection. On the road, listen for any knocking or clonking from the front suspension over speed humps or rough tarmac, as no suspension advisories have been recorded but the higher mileage front components should still be evaluated for worn bushes or droplinks. Finally, verify the operation of both windscreen washers and the offside wiper blade, since both items have been flagged as defective on separate occasions, and ensure washer fluid is topped up before any MOT retest to avoid an avoidable failure.