2014 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · LX64 PVY

The 2014 FIAT 500 presents a mixed maintenance picture. The most recent MOT in September 2025 at 31,519 miles passed, but the record reveals a persistent and worsening corrosion pattern in the rear suspension that a buyer must take seriously. While the car has avoided major mechanical failures, the recurring advisories point to long-term neglect of underbody protection rather than simple consumable wear. This vehicle has covered just 31,519 miles over roughly twelve years, averaging approximately 2,627 miles annually. That is exceptionally low. The mileage progression shows a steady but minimal accumulation: 16,390 miles in July 2021, 20,698 in September 2022, 24,826 in September 2023, 28,325 in September 2024, and 31,519 in September 2025. The increments between tests are consistent at roughly 3,000 to 4,000 miles per year, with no sudden spikes or suspicious gaps. Such low annual use typically means reduced brake and drivetrain wear, but prolonged periods of standing can accelerate corrosion on suspension components, brake seizing, and tyre sidewall deterioration, which is exactly what the record reflects. The rear coil springs and suspension components have been flagged for corrosion in three consecutive tests: July 2021, September 2023, and September 2024. This is not a one-off advisory. It is a progressive structural concern. Corroded coil springs can catastrophically snap under load, particularly on a small city car driven over urban speed bumps and potholes. The rear suspension corrosion noted alongside the springs in 2023 and 2024 suggests the deterioration extends beyond the springs themselves into arms, mounts, or subframe areas. The September 2025 test did not re-flag these items, but a clean pass after three consecutive advisories does not confirm repair. It may simply reflect a different tester's threshold or a visual inspection that could not access hidden corrosion beneath surface grime. The front brake discs were noted as worn, pitted, and scored in the most recent September 2025 test, and the front brake pads were flagged as wearing thin back in July 2021. This indicates the braking system has received intermittent attention at best. The nail in the offside rear tyre in 2025 and repeated advisories for tyre wear on the nearside front and offside front suggest the previous owner rotated tyres irregularly or ran the car with uneven alignment for extended periods. A prospective buyer should have the rear suspension physically inspected with the vehicle on a ramp, specifically probing the coil springs for section loss and checking the rear subframe and trailing arms for perforating corrosion. The brake discs and pads need measurement against minimum thickness specifications, and a full four-wheel alignment check is advisable given the uneven tyre wear history.