2013 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · LL62 KTT

A consistent theme of front suspension wear and brake deterioration emerges across the MOT history of this Fiat 500, painting a picture of an older city car whose underpinnings are beginning to show the cumulative effects of thirteen years of road use. The most recent test on 24 January 2026 passed, but it was accompanied by a notably long advisory list covering both front shock absorbers showing light oil misting, a corroded rear brake hose ferrule, and play at both the nearside track rod end and offside Macpherson strut ball joint. The previous year's testing is also revealing: an initial fail on 17 January 2025 was followed by a pass the following day, with advisories for worn and pitted front brake discs on both sides, a coolant leak from the front of the engine, a headlamp lens with product contamination, a worn rear suspension bush on the lower arm, and a nearside front tyre worn down to 3mm. The 2024 test similarly recorded play in an offside front lower ball joint and a worn upper shock absorber bush. The absence of any recorded defects in 2023 makes the downward trend across the most recent two tests all the more apparent, with suspension joints, dampers, and brake components now accumulating advisories at an increasing rate. The recorded mileage of 74,239 miles over thirteen years equates to an annual average of approximately 5,700 miles, which sits comfortably below the typical UK figure and is consistent with a vehicle used primarily for short urban journeys rather than long-distance commuting. This lower-than-average accumulation can be advantageous in terms of overall wear on major mechanical components such as the engine and gearbox internals, but it also tends to bring its own characteristic issues. Short, stop-start driving with extended periods of standing between journeys accelerates corrosion of ferrous components, encourages moisture build-up within the braking system, and can promote oil misting on shock absorbers through infrequent use of the full damper travel. The recurring advisories on dampers, brake hoses, and suspension joints in this record are broadly consistent with that usage profile, and the mileage context should not be mistaken for evidence of minimal wear overall. For a prospective buyer, the front suspension assembly should be the primary focus of any physical inspection, given that advisories have appeared on the nearside track rod end, offside Macpherson strut ball joint, lower suspension arm rear bush, and upper shock absorber bush within the past two MOT cycles. On a test drive, listen for any clonking or knocking from the front corners when traversing speed humps or uneven tarmac, as this commonly indicates worn ball joints or top mounts. Pay particular attention to steering precision; looseness, a delayed return to centre, or any knocking through the steering wheel when on full lock would suggest the track rod end play has progressed beyond advisory level. The Macpherson strut area should be examined for any obvious oil residue running down the damper body, which would confirm that the light misting recorded on both front units is developing into a more substantive leak. Uneven or accelerated tyre wear on the nearside front, particularly on the inner or outer shoulder, would also point to compromised geometry from worn linkages. The braking and cooling systems warrant equally close attention given the 2025 advisories for pitted front brake discs and a non-excessive coolant leak from the front of the engine. On a road test, the brake pedal should feel firm and progressive without any judder through the pedal under firm application, as vibration would indicate the disc corrosion has deepened beyond surface pitting. Listen for any binding or scraping sounds from the front wheels when releasing the accelerator, which could point to a sticking caliper following uneven disc wear. With the vehicle cold, check beneath the front of the engine bay and along coolant hoses for any fresh staining or residue that might indicate the previously flagged leak is worsening. Finally, the rear brake hose corrosion noted at the most recent test is a known MOT failure point on older vehicles and should be visually inspected for any rust-through or perishing along its length before purchase.