2009 Fiat 500 1.4L Petrol · LS59 OXU

A recurring theme of niggling electrical and trim issues runs through the MOT history of this 2009 Fiat 500, alongside persistent front-end wear that warrants close physical inspection before purchase. Across the six tests recorded, the vehicle has passed on three occasions but failed on three others, with each failure tied to relatively minor but safety-relevant items such as a misaligned windscreen washer, an insecure offside front headlamp, a nearside front Macpherson strut top bush with excessive play, a cut nearside front tyre, a non-functioning dipped beam, and a dangerous nearside rear tyre with structural separation. The most recent test on 17 June 2024 recorded a pass alongside an advisory for slight damage to the offside front tyre, and although there are no current advisories relating to the suspension, the 2022 and 2021 entries flagged worn front Macpherson strut top bush or pin and pitted front brake discs, suggesting these are components that have historically attracted attention on this car and may merit a precautionary check. With 43,450 miles recorded over approximately seventeen years, the vehicle has averaged around 2,500 miles per year, which is well below the typical accumulation for a city car of this era. There are no extended gaps in the testing record, with annual MOTs appearing consistently from 2020 onwards, indicating the car has remained in regular use rather than being laid up for prolonged periods. This level of light, steady usage generally limits wear on major drivetrain components but can place specific stress on items that suffer from underuse, such as brake discs corroding or pitting from infrequent heavy braking, suspension bushes drying out or seizing, and tyres developing sidewall cracking or perishing through age rather than mileage. The advisories for perished rear tyres in 2021, sidewall damage to the nearside front tyre in 2020, and cracking on both front tyres in 2022 are consistent with age-related rubber degradation on a low-mileage car. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the front suspension, as the history shows a nearside front Macpherson strut top bush with excessive wear in 2021 and an advisory for a worn upper strut pin or bush on the same side in 2022. On a test drive, listen for knocking or clonking noises from the front end when traversing speed bumps, uneven road surfaces, or during full-lock manoeuvres, and feel for any vagueness or delay in the steering response. Inspect the front tyres closely for cracking, bulging, or cuts in the sidewalls, as the advisory pattern over four consecutive years suggests the rubber is ageing faster than it is wearing, and check that the offside front headlamp mounting is secure given the previous failure for a broken lower bracket. Also examine the front brake discs for lipping and pitting, as this has been flagged in three consecutive tests, and be alert for any judder through the steering wheel or brake pedal under firm application, which would indicate disc distortion. Beyond the suspension and braking components, several smaller but recurring electrical and fluid issues should be verified. The history shows two separate failures for insufficient or misaligned windscreen washer fluid, a minor for an inoperative nearside rear registration plate lamp, an advisory for a split rear wiper blade, and an advisory for a damaged nearside front fog lamp housing, all of which suggest the car may benefit from a general electrical and trim tidy-up rather than indicating a single underlying fault. On inspection, confirm that both headlamps operate correctly on dipped and main beam, that all washer jets are aimed to give even coverage across the windscreen, and that the rear wiper blade is intact and clears effectively. Finally, check the rear tyres for signs of perishing in the sidewalls or tread, given the 2021 advisory and the dangerous failure for a structurally compromised nearside rear tyre, and listen on the test drive for any exhaust rattles or blowing that might correlate with the recurring advisory for a deteriorated exhaust system.