2012 Fiat 500C 0.9L Petrol · LL12 YVH

The most recent DVSA test on 9 February 2026 resulted in a pass, but it was accompanied by four advisories all relating to the front suspension. Both the nearside and offside upper Macpherson strut mountings were recorded as damaged with slight play, and both rear suspension arm pins or bushes on the front arms were noted as worn. None of these items were deemed serious enough to fail at the time, but their repeated appearance across the front axle suggests the suspension is on a gradual downward trajectory. Looking back through the history, the 2025 test was a clean pass with no advisories, while the 2024 test recorded front tyre wear issues, a minor exhaust gas leak, and light oil misting on the nearside front shock absorber. Earlier tests in 2023 flagged a coolant leak above the gearbox and low coolant level, which were not repeated in subsequent examinations and may have been addressed. The overall trend is one of emerging front suspension wear rather than acute failure, and the advisories should be treated as an early warning that components are beginning to reach the end of their effective service life. With 57,671 miles recorded over fourteen years, this Fiat 500C has averaged around 4,100 miles per year, which is notably low for its age. Such modest annual usage typically means lighter wear on the engine, clutch, and gearbox internals, but it also raises the likelihood of extended standing periods, which can bring their own mechanical concerns. Standing vehicles are prone to brake disc corrosion, caliper slider seizure from lack of use, and degradation of rubber and plastic components simply through age rather than mileage. The gap or consistency of use cannot be precisely determined from the MOT record alone, but the buyer should be mindful that this car has almost certainly spent significant portions of its life parked rather than being driven daily. Given the recurring front suspension advisories, a prospective buyer should pay close attention to this area on a test drive. Listen for clonks or knocks from the front end over uneven surfaces, speed bumps, or when turning at low speed, as these would indicate that the worn strut mountings and suspension arm bushes have progressed beyond the advisory threshold. Uneven or feathered inner-edge tyre wear, similar to what was noted in 2024, would also confirm that the front geometry is being affected by the worn components. The front shock absorber oil misting recorded in 2024 is worth monitoring too, as it can develop into a more serious fluid leak and affect damping performance. Have the strut mountings and front arm bushes physically inspected for play by pressing down firmly on each front corner and watching for excessive movement, and budget for replacement suspension components in any purchase negotiation. Beyond the recorded defects, the age of the car warrants several time-based inspections regardless of mileage. Tyres should be checked closely for sidewall cracking and perishing, as rubber degrades with age even when tread depth remains adequate, and the offside rear tyre has been flagged for this twice in recent years. The brake discs should be examined for surface corrosion and the calipers tested to ensure they are not binding, particularly given the likelihood of infrequent use. The 12-volt battery should be load tested, as batteries typically need replacement every five to seven years regardless of mileage. Coolant, brake fluid, and gearbox oil should all be verified as having been changed on a calendar basis rather than purely by mileage, and the minor exhaust leak noted in 2024 should be checked to ensure it has not worsened. A thorough underbonnet inspection for fluid leaks, particularly around the gearbox area where the 2023 coolant loss was noted, would be prudent to confirm that issue has been properly resolved.