2016 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · LP16 ATY

Recurring suspension and tyre issues define the mechanical history of this vehicle, with a recent failure on 11 June 2026 highlighting significant component wear. While the car achieved a pass on 16 June 2026, the preceding failure involved a major defect regarding a serious fluid leak from the offside front shock absorber, alongside advisories for worn Macpherson strut pins and bushes on both the nearside and offside fronts. This follows a pattern of suspension-related advisories dating back to at least June 2025, suggesting a persistent trend of wear within the front suspension geometry and damping components. The vehicle has covered 44,587 miles over approximately ten years, representing an average annual accumulation of roughly 4,459 miles. This is a low mileage profile for a 2016 model, which can sometimes result in components such as rubber bushes and tyres perishing due to age rather than distance travelled. This is evidenced by the June 2022 advisory noting perishing rear tyres aged from 2016, and the repeated instances of tyre structural issues and uneven wear recorded in more recent tests. Prospective buyers should pay close attention to the front end during a test drive to evaluate the impact of the recent shock absorber replacement and the history of strut and bush wear. Listen for knocking or clunking noises when driving over uneven surfaces or speed bumps, which could indicate that the Macpherson strut pins or suspension arm bushes have not been fully addressed or are failing elsewhere. Additionally, monitor the steering for any pulling to one side or instability, as the history of uneven tyre wear and worn edges suggests potential alignment issues or worn suspension linkages. The exhaust system also warrants scrutiny due to multiple advisories regarding minor gas leaks at various joints recorded between 2022 and 2024. During the test drive, listen for any unusual droning or increased engine noise that might indicate an exhaust leak is still present or has worsened. Finally, given the history of tyre failures, including a dangerous structural bulge in 2025 and various instances of tyres being worn close to the legal limit, a thorough visual inspection of the current tread depth and sidewall integrity across all four tyres is essential.