2012 Fiat 500 0.9L Petrol · LS12 UTX

The most recent DVSA examination on 20 August 2026 resulted in a pass, although a single advisory was recorded concerning a minor exhaust gas leak from the flexible section of the exhaust system. Looking at the broader pattern, the vehicle has passed every annual test since 2021 with no outright failures aside from one failed attempt in early 2022 which was successfully retested the following day. The advisory count has, however, crept upward in the most recent two tests, with suspension ball joint play and a deteriorated dust cover noted in 2025, and the exhaust flexi leak added in 2026. This suggests a vehicle that remains broadly roadworthy but is entering a phase where the front suspension and exhaust components are beginning to show their age, warranting closer scrutiny rather than suggesting any immediate cause for concern. With 71,187 miles recorded over approximately fourteen years, this Fiat 500 is averaging around 5,085 miles per annum, which is notably below typical UK private car usage of roughly 7,000 to 9,000 miles annually. The MOT record shows tests clustered relatively regularly from 2021 onwards, so there is no evidence of the vehicle being laid up for extended periods, but the low annual mileage does imply a fair amount of short journeys and cold starts, which are harder on engine oil, the 12V battery, and the exhaust system due to condensation not being fully boiled off. The mileage accumulation between tests appears steady and consistent, with no anomalous jumps that would raise suspicion of clocking, and the overall drivetrain wear profile should reflect light rather than arduous use. The recurring advisories from 2021 and 2022 concerning both rear upper shock absorber bushes being perished and worn deserve particular attention. Although the offside bush was deemed seriously worn enough to fail the vehicle on 7 February 2022, the nearside bush has been noted as slightly worn across multiple tests, indicating progressive deterioration rather than a one-off issue. On a test drive, a buyer should listen for clonking or knocking noises from the rear suspension over uneven surfaces, particularly when traversing speed humps or potholes, and visually inspect the upper shock mount areas for cracking rubber and any lateral play when the wheel is rocked by hand. Given the suspension advisories noted in 2025 concerning front suspension arm ball joint play and an anti-roll bar linkage ball joint with slight play, alongside a severely deteriorated nearside front ball joint dust cover, the front end is also showing signs of wear that will likely progress; listen for knocking over bumps and check for uneven front tyre wear, as perished ball joint boots will allow water ingress and accelerated joint failure if left unaddressed. The braking system showed pitted and scored inner front brake discs as advisories in both 2021 and 2022, which is a common pattern on vehicles used predominantly for low-speed urban driving where the discs do not get sufficient heat cycling to self-clean. On a test drive, a prospective buyer should expect to feel some brake pedal pulsation or shudder under firm braking from higher speeds, indicating disc run-out or thickness variation, and should also check that the calipers are releasing correctly rather than binding, which is another common consequence of low-mileage urban use. Given the overall low annual mileage and the vehicle's age, additional checks should include a thorough inspection of all tyre sidewalls for perishing and cracking, particularly as cracking in the rear tyre tread was already noted in 2022 and 2023, confirming that age-related rubber degradation is occurring regardless of tread depth. The 12V battery should be load-tested or replaced preventatively if it is the original unit, brake fluid and coolant should be assumed overdue for renewal on a calendar basis as these fluids degrade with time rather than mileage, and the timing belt replacement history must be verified as this engine is timing belt driven and due based on age rather than the odometer reading alone. The noted oil leak from 2021 should also be revisited by inspecting under the engine for fresh seepage around the cam cover gasket and sump area.