2012 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · LP12 EUB

The vehicle most recently passed its MOT in April 2026, although this followed a failure due to a dangerous tyre condition. Reviewing the history from 2021 onwards, the maintenance trend appears to be declining. While the car had clean certificates in 2022 and 2023, the last three years have seen a recurring pattern of suspension degradation and neglect of consumables, indicating that the vehicle is entering a phase of increased mechanical wear that has not been proactively addressed. With a recorded mileage of 45,683 miles over fourteen years, the vehicle has averaged approximately 3,263 miles per year. This is significantly lower than the national average, which suggests the engine and drivetrain have experienced minimal operational wear. However, such low annual usage often implies periods of prolonged standing, which can be as detrimental as high mileage, potentially leading to the degradation of rubber components, fluid contamination, and the seizure of braking components. Particular attention must be paid to the front suspension and steering geometry. There is a persistent advisory regarding the offside front shock absorber misting oil, which indicates a failing seal and impending component failure. During a test drive, listen for knocking or clunking sounds over uneven surfaces, which may relate to the previously noted play in the top mounts and worn suspension arm bushes. Furthermore, the recent dangerous failure for exposed cords on the inner edge of the offside tyre strongly suggests a misalignment or camber issue; inspect all four tyres for uneven wear patterns that could indicate a need for a full four-wheel alignment. Given the low mileage and age, you should conduct a thorough physical inspection of all rubber perishables. Check the tyre sidewalls for fine cracking or hardening, as tyres can expire due to age even if the tread remains legal. Inspect the brake discs for heavy surface corrosion or evidence of binding calipers, which often occurs when a vehicle sits idle. Finally, verify the service history to ensure that oil and coolant changes have been performed based on calendar intervals rather than mileage, and test the 12V battery health to ensure it has not been depleted by infrequent use.