2016 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · NG16 AWJ

The vehicle's roadworthiness shows a concerning downward trend in mechanical maintenance. While the most recent test on 5 February 2026 at 49,136 miles resulted in a pass, the vehicle underwent a significant failure just three days prior on 2 February 2026. This failure highlighted critical issues including a parking brake efficiency below 50%, a defective parking brake lever, and a front brake disc so weakened it required replacement. The subsequent pass includes advisories for severely deteriorated ball joint dust covers on both front lower suspension arms and general light corrosion to the underside. The mileage pattern indicates very low annual usage, averaging approximately 4,900 miles per year over the ten-year lifespan of the vehicle. The data shows a consistent, slow accumulation of miles, with the gap between the 2024 test at 47,180 miles and the 2025 test at 47,193 miles being particularly low. This pattern of infrequent use often correlates with the corrosion and component degradation seen in the record. Low usage can lead to parts like brake discs pitting from inactivity and rubber components such as dust covers perishing due to age rather than wear. A prospective buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the braking system and front suspension. The history shows recurring issues with brake discs and parking brake mechanisms, specifically the failure in February 2026 and the pitting noted in January 2021. The tester also flagged Macpherson strut corrosion in the February 2026 failure, which, combined with the recent advisories for suspension arm ball joint dust covers and general underside corrosion, suggests the vehicle's structural integrity and suspension components are beginning to age poorly. The repeated advisories regarding tyres worn close to the legal limit, seen in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025, suggest a reactive rather than proactive approach to consumable maintenance. Inspecting the current condition of all four tyres and checking for any signs of leaking shock absorbers is necessary, as light oil misting was noted as far back as 2023 and 2024. The recent focus on deteriorating rubber seals and corrosion indicates that while the car is low mileage, the age-related degradation of non-mechanical parts is accelerating.