2012 Fiat 500 0.9L Petrol · LB12 DLD

A fourteen year old FIAT 500 with 72,421 miles carries an MOT history that tells a story of escalating mechanical wear rather than clean roadworthiness. The most recent test on 2026-08-24 passed, but it did so with advisories flagging corrosion on both rear coil springs and on the rear axle itself, signalling that structural deterioration is now established on the rear suspension platform. Looking back across the recorded tests, the trend has shifted from advisory-free passes in 2021 and 2022 toward a growing cluster of component-level concerns, culminating in a 2023 failed test where both outer constant velocity joint boots on the front driveshafts were found split and the nearside headlamp beam aim was defective, alongside pitted front brake discs and a damaged rear screen. The subsequent three tests passed with a steady accumulation of advisories covering brake disc wear, an engine oil leak, screen damage, and now rear suspension corrosion, meaning the recent record cannot be described as clean even though no outright failures have occurred since 2023. The mileage profile is unusually low for the vehicle's age, averaging roughly 5,173 miles per year across a fourteen year lifespan, and the recorded tests span 2020 through to August 2026 with no conspicuous gaps. This kind of annual accumulation is consistent with light urban or short-journey use, which itself has particular mechanical implications. Infrequent long runs tend to promote moisture accumulation in the engine sump and exhaust system, and the 2025 advisory noting an oil leak, though not classed as excessive, should be read in that context. Front brake discs flagged for pitting and scoring across multiple tests from 2020 onwards are a classic outcome of low-speed, low-temperature use where corrosion takes hold on the disc surface before the brakes are worked sufficiently hot to clean them, and the inner-edge tyre wear noted in 2023 points to alignment geometry that may not have been corrected. For a prospective buyer, the rear axle and rear coil spring corrosion flagged at the most recent test is the priority concern, as corrosion in these locations can advance rapidly on a car of this age and can compromise structural integrity or spring seating under load. A test drive should include firm loading of the rear suspension over speed humps and broken tarmac, listening for clonking or squeaking from the rear arches, and the rear axle area should be inspected on a ramp for bubbling or perforation around spring seats, dampener mounts, and axle tubes. The constant velocity joint boots that were replaced after the 2023 failure should be inspected again, ideally by hand, for any fresh splits, grease loss, or perished rubber, as the original failures were bilateral and the components are of similar age. Turn the steering lock to lock at low speed and listen for any clicking or fluttering from the front hubs, which would indicate renewed CV joint distress. The front braking system warrants close attention given the recurring pitted and scored disc advisories since 2020. On test, the car should be brought up to about 30 mph and the brakes applied firmly, noting whether the pedal pulses, vibrates through the steering, or produces a grinding sensation, as any of these would indicate the discs have worn beyond their second re-cut or require replacement. The nearside front suspension arm rear bush flagged in 2021 should be checked for renewed movement, ideally by rocking the wheel and watching for play at the radius arm or trailing arm attachment. Finally, the engine should be inspected from underneath for active oil drips from the sump, cam cover, or front crank seal area, as a leak classed merely as not excessive in 2025 will have had another year to develop. A handheld inspection of the rear screen damage noted across three consecutive tests is worthwhile to ensure the cracks have not spread into the driver's primary sightline.