2009 Abarth 500 1.4L Petrol · N500 ABR

A seventeen-year-old Abarth 500 with eight recorded MOT tests, seven passes and a single advisory-only test in 2022, presents a broadly consistent roadworthiness profile that has remained stable rather than progressively deteriorating. The most recent examination on 9 April 2026 returned a clean pass with no advisories, continuing an unbroken run of passes stretching back to 2020. The only meaningful flags across the entire recorded history are the 2022 advisories concerning a corroded rear exhaust and worn front lower suspension arm pins or bushes on both sides, and an offside rear tyre wear advisory recorded in April 2025. With no failures, no dangerous defects and no repeat advisories beyond the exhaust corrosion noted in both 2019 and 2022, the recorded trend indicates a vehicle that has consistently met minimum roadworthiness criteria without escalating mechanical concerns. The absence of brake, steering, lighting or corrosion advisories is notable for a car of this age and platform. Against an average annual accumulation of roughly 5,450 miles, this Abarth has covered considerably less ground than typical urban or commuter use would dictate, which has direct implications for component condition. The annual rate has been broadly consistent across the testing years, with no large mileage jumps or extended gaps that would suggest either prolonged storage or rapid accumulation. Lower mileage on a performance-oriented small car such as the Abarth 500 can mean reduced wear on the clutch, gearbox internals and brake friction material, but it also raises the prospect of standing-related issues such as dried brake fluid, seized caliper slide pins, perished rubber bushes and flat-spotted tyres. Because no off-road period of multiple years is recorded, the standing-time lecture does not strictly apply, but a buyer should still expect the effects of predominantly short urban trips typical of this mileage band. The 2022 advisory on both front lower suspension arm pins or bushes is the single mechanical area most worth a focused test drive assessment. On the road, listen for clonking or knocking from the front end over speed humps, uneven surfaces and sharp direction changes, particularly under load or during hard cornering, which would indicate the bushes have worn beyond their 2022 state. Inspect the front tyres for uneven inner or outer shoulder wear, as worn lower arm bushes alter camber and accelerate shoulder wear, and check for uneven steering return or vague on-centre behaviour. The 2025 advisory noting an offside rear tyre worn on the edge should also prompt a check of rear wheel alignment and a visual inspection for any perished rear suspension components that could be contributing to inconsistent contact patch wear. The rear exhaust corrosion advisories from 2019 and 2022 point to the likely need for replacement by now on a 2009-built car, and a physical inspection underneath the vehicle is warranted. With the car cold, look for hanging sections, blue smoke on start-up, or a louder than expected exhaust note, particularly under acceleration where exhaust back-pressure changes can reveal failing joints. Given the Abarth's sporting specification, pay particular attention to the braking system during a test drive: expect firm pedal feel without sponginess, and listen for any grinding or scraping from the calipers that could indicate seized mechanisms following periods of light use. Finally, a thorough under-bonnet inspection for oil leaks around the cam cover, turbo oil feed lines and coolant hoses is advisable, as these are common age-related items on higher-performance small engines that rarely generate MOT advisories but can present significant ownership costs.