2010 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · LM10 LCF

A sixteen-year-old FIAT 500 with a completely clean MOT history across five consecutive tests is a notably strong roadworthiness profile for this model, particularly given the age and the propensity for early corrosion and component wear that typically affects cars of this vintage. The most recent test on 16 January 2026 recorded a pass with no advisories, continuing an unbroken run of clean outcomes stretching back to the 2023 inspection. The single intervening failure on 1 February 2024 returned no recorded defects, which strongly suggests a procedural or retest situation rather than a mechanical defect, and the immediately subsequent pass the following week confirms that the vehicle was returned to a satisfactory condition without any flagged component. There is no documented history of corroded brake pipes, perished suspension bushes, structural deterioration, or exhaust integrity issues, all of which are common MOT failure points for cars entering their mid-teens. The overall trend is one of stable, well-maintained roadworthiness with no chronic or recurring advisories. With 92,410 miles accumulated over sixteen years, this FIAT has covered an average of roughly 5,776 miles annually, which is well below typical usage and points to a vehicle that has spent significant periods either lightly used or possibly laid up. Lower annual mileage of this nature reduces wear on major drivetrain components and high-stress items like the clutch, gearbox and engine internals, but it does introduce separate considerations around rubber and polymer components that degrade with age rather than use. Suspension bushes, engine mountings, drive shaft gaiters, coolant hoses, timing belt material, and brake hydraulic seals can all deteriorate through simple calendar ageing, so the mechanical implications here are mixed. The mileage progression recorded across the five MOTs appears consistent rather than spiking, suggesting the odometer has not been subject to any unusual acceleration that might indicate an extended motorway commute or towing use. Given the absence of any advisories in the MOT history, there is no specific component history to investigate, but a buyer should still conduct a targeted physical inspection of the items that DVSA testers most commonly flag on early-2010s small cars of this mileage and age. Pay particular attention to the condition of the rear axle beam and its mounting bushes, as corrosion and splitting in this area are a known issue on the 500 and can present as knocking over uneven road surfaces. Inspect the underbody, subframe and brake pipes closely for any surface rust that may have developed since the last test, particularly around jacking points and suspension turret areas. On a test drive, listen for clonking from the front suspension over speed bumps, feel for any vagueness or wandering in the steering that might indicate worn rack mounts or tie rod wear, and check for vibration or pulling under braking that could suggest corroded or warped front discs. The 1.2-litre petrol engine and manual gearbox combination fitted to most 2010 examples should be evaluated for cold-start behaviour, smooth idle, and any signs of oil seepage from the cam cover or sump gasket, as these are typical age-related issues even on low-mileage examples. Listen for timing chain rattle on a cold start, as the small petrol units of this era can develop chain stretch that presents as a brief rattle before fading once oil pressure builds. Check that the cooling fan cycles correctly, that the heater produces consistent hot output, and that there are no warning lights illuminated on the dashboard. Verify the operation of all electrics including the sunroof if fitted, central locking, and the electric mirror adjusters, as electrical gremlins are not uncommon. A pre-purchase inspection on a ramp remains strongly advisable to confirm the structural and underseal condition beneath the cosmetic appearance, particularly given the car's age and the lack of any recorded advisories to act as a baseline.