2016 Fiat 124 1.4L Petrol · MM66 XLO

The 2016 FIAT 124 presents a broadly stable mechanical picture at its most recent MOT in March 2026, passing at 51,919 miles with only minor advisories. The maintenance trend is neither sharply worsening nor clearly resolving. The same rear suspension bush wear noted in 2023 and 2024 remains present in both the 2025 and 2026 tests, indicating a slow-developing issue that has persisted across multiple annual inspections without yet becoming a failure. The offside front tyre advisory also recurred in 2025 and 2026 after first appearing in 2023, suggesting a repeat wear pattern likely linked to alignment or suspension geometry rather than a one-off puncture or damage event. Mileage accumulation is notably low for a vehicle approaching ten years of age, averaging roughly 5,192 miles per year. Between November 2021 at 43,503 miles and April 2023 at 50,478 miles, the car covered approximately 6,975 miles in around seventeen months, which is modest but not unusually so. The interval between April 2023 and March 2025 shows a further 722-mile increase, pointing to very light use or possibly extended periods of standing. Sparse MOT entries before 2021 limit the ability to trace long-term wear patterns, but the post-2021 record is consistent and shows no alarming jumps in mileage that would suggest neglected servicing or sudden high-stress use. The recurring rear suspension bush wear, specifically upper and lower hub bushes on both nearside and offside, warrants close physical inspection. These components affect wheel alignment, tyre wear, and handling stability, and their repeated advisory status across four consecutive tests suggests they are approaching the point where replacement will be necessary rather than optional. A buyer should check for play in the rear hubs, uneven tyre wear, and any clunking over suspension travel. The offside front tyre wear pattern, described as worn on the edge and perished in the tread, points toward possible camber misalignment or a worn front suspension component. Inspect the offside front tyre sidewall and tread depth carefully, and have the front suspension geometry checked before purchase. Beyond the flagged advisories, the low annual mileage raises its own concerns. Tyres fitted around 2023 are now approaching three years old and showing perishing, which is consistent with age-related degradation rather than wear from high mileage. Inspect all four tyres for sidewall cracking, date codes, and remaining tread depth. Brake components, rubber hoses, and exhaust systems on low-mileage vehicles can deteriorate from age and condensation rather than use, so a thorough underbody inspection for corrosion, perished rubber, and seized components is advisable before committing to the purchase.