2013 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · LR63 RFZ

A pattern of suspension and tyre deterioration sits at the centre of this Fiat 500's MOT record, with the offside rear and offside front lower suspension arm bushes both flagging as Major defects in successive annual tests, alongside repeated tyre condition advisories on the rear and a Dangerous tyre failure on the front. The most recent test on 2025-03-07 is the clearest illustration of this trend, where the car passed but was immediately failed on the same day due to an excessively worn rear bush on the nearside front suspension arm, an issue that had manifested on the opposite side twelve months earlier. Although the 2023 test recorded no defects and the 2024 retest ultimately passed, the 2024 examination itself surfaced four Major defects, including a dangerous tyre, a leaking exhaust flexi joint, and a damaged offside wing mirror, suggesting that intervals between tests have not been accompanied by consistent remedial work. The cumulative picture is one of recurring component wear rather than isolated events, and the suspension in particular appears to be a chronic concern that warrants close physical scrutiny. With 87,601 miles accumulated over approximately thirteen years, this vehicle records around 6,739 miles annually, which sits broadly in line with typical usage for a small city car of this era. There are no extended gaps between MOT tests and the mileage progression between recorded readings is consistent and orderly, indicating that the car has been in regular service throughout its life. Mechanically, this steady annual accumulation is more reassuring than a low-mileage figure would be for a thirteen-year-old Fiat, as it implies the engine, gearbox, and drivetrain components have been kept in working order through regular use rather than suffering the deterioration that comes with prolonged standing. However, the wear-related defects already documented suggest that the suspension, tyres, and exhaust have already absorbed a fair amount of that mileage and may continue to be ongoing expense items. For a prospective buyer, the suspension record should be the primary focus of any inspection. Both offside and nearside front lower suspension arm rear bushes have now failed inspection, and on a test drive the symptoms to listen and feel for are clonks or knocks through the front end when traversing speed humps or potholes, imprecise steering with vague self-centring, uneven or premature front tyre wear on the inner or outer edges, and a shimmy or wandering sensation at speed. The car should be raised or the engine bay visually examined for perished or split rubber in the front lower arms, and the condition of the rear bushes on both sides should be confirmed even if only one has been flagged so far, given the pattern of mirrored failures. The tyre and exhaust items also deserve specific attention before purchase. The offside rear tyre was noted as slightly perished and cracking on the most recent test, so a close visual check of the sidewalls for hairline cracks and a measurement of tread depth across the full width is worthwhile, particularly on the front pair where a previous tyre was deemed dangerous with cords exposed. The exhaust flexi joint was recorded as leaking major exhaust gases, and any subsequent replacement should be confirmed, with attention on a test drive to any ticking, blowing, or exhaust smell under load, along with a check that the emissions warning lamp is not illuminated. Finally, the damaged offside mirror recorded as a Major in 2024 should be verified as present and properly adjusted, and the general condition of the underside examined for corrosion given the vehicle's age and the fact that the MOT record has already documented mechanical deterioration rather than cosmetic concerns.