2014 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · KX14 WKC

The 2014 Fiat 500 presents a mixed maintenance picture, with a worsening trend in suspension and exhaust integrity despite a clean pass at its most recent test on 2 April 2025 at 90,253 miles. That pass came only after a failure on the same day, where the tester flagged an excessively worn offside rear shock absorber bush and a nearside front ball joint with slight play alongside its deteriorated dust cover. The car has not held a continuous clean record. Two years prior, in March 2024, both front tyres were below the 1.6mm legal limit and both front and rear shock absorbers were leaking fluid seriously enough to fail the test. The recurring nature of shock absorber defects, from fluid leaks to worn bushes across multiple axles, points to a pattern of deferred suspension upkeep rather than a one-off repair. The exhaust system has also drawn repeated advisories for minor gas leaks since January 2023, a fault that has persisted across three consecutive test cycles. The mileage progression tells a story of consistent but modest use. Between the January 2023 test at 65,393 miles and the March 2024 test at 81,468 miles, the car covered roughly 16,000 miles in fourteen months, a rate well above the 7,500-mile annual average suggested by its age. That spike tapered sharply after March 2024, with only 8,516 miles added between the March 2024 failure and the April 2025 test, a period of thirteen months. The most recent test date, April 2025, sits over fourteen months before today's date of June 2026, meaning the current MOT certificate has already expired. Any buyer must treat this car as untested for roadworthiness since that April 2025 pass, and the gap raises questions about what condition the suspension and exhaust have fallen into since. A buyer inspecting this Fiat 500 in person should focus first on the front suspension. The nearside front ball joint showed slight play and a severely deteriorated dust cover in both the April 2025 failure and pass, meaning contamination and accelerated wear remain a real risk. Check for clunking over uneven surfaces and inspect the joint boots directly. The shock absorbers across all four corners have a documented history of fluid leaks and worn bushes. Look for oil misting on the shock bodies, bounce-test the car for excessive rebound, and listen for knocking over speed bumps. The rear exhaust has leaked gases at three consecutive tests. Have someone hold the engine at around 2,500 rpm while you listen at the tailpipe and feel for escaping gas joints at the centre and rear sections. Surface rust around welds and box seams is common on Fiat 500 exhausts of this age, and a minor leak can escalate to a dangerous level without warning. Tyre condition also warrants close attention. Both front tyres failed the March 2024 test for low tread depth, and with only modest mileage covered since, uneven wear or sidewall damage from long stationary periods could be present. Check the date codes on all four tyres and the spare. Given the expired MOT, a fresh pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic is strongly advised before committing to this vehicle.