2016 Abarth 595 1.4L Petrol · NG65 GLF

The vehicle most recently passed its MOT test on 2 August 2025 with no defects or advisories recorded, continuing an uninterrupted sequence of clean passes through 2022, 2023, and the 2024 cycle. The only interruption in this otherwise positive record is a single failure on 16 August 2024, which was followed by an immediate pass just three days later on 19 August 2024, indicating that whatever issue prompted the failure was rectified promptly and did not recur at the subsequent test. There are no advisories logged across any of the recorded tests, and no repeat defect categories have appeared. The overall maintenance trajectory therefore reads as stable and well-managed, with the brief 2024 failure appearing to be an isolated incident rather than evidence of a deteriorating mechanical condition. With 119,332 miles recorded against a 2016 build year, the vehicle has covered approximately 11,933 miles annually, which is broadly typical for a car of its age and consistent with regular commuter or mixed-use driving. The MOT records show tests in 2022, 2023, 2024 (twice), and 2025, and the mileage progression between these tests aligns with steady, moderate accumulation rather than any extended periods of standing or unusual bursts of high-mileage use. This kind of usage pattern is generally favourable for mechanical longevity, as regularly driven vehicles tend to suffer less from age-related issues such as seized calipers, perished hoses, and stale fluids than those that sit idle for long periods, while not yet reaching the very high mileages where major drivetrain components typically require refurbishment. Given the clean MOT history and the absence of any logged advisories, the prospective buyer should shift focus to age- and mileage-related wear items that the standardised MOT checklist does not always fully capture. The car is now ten years old, so close physical inspection of tyre sidewalls for perishing or cracking from age is worthwhile even if the tread depth remains legal, as ten-year-old tyres can lose integrity well before wearing out. Brake discs on a vehicle of this mileage may have been replaced once already, but surface corrosion around the disc edges and any signs of a binding caliper such as uneven pad wear or a pulling sensation under braking should be examined carefully during a test drive. Similarly, the 12V battery should be tested for state of health, as original-equipment batteries in vehicles of this age are typically well past their service life and prone to sudden failure, particularly as autumn approaches and electrical load increases. A sustained test drive should include deliberate checks for symptoms of wear that develop progressively rather than appearing as a single failed component. Listen for any clonks or knocks from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, paying particular attention to the lower wishbone bushes, anti-roll bar drop links, and top mounts, which are common wear points on higher-mileage Abarth 595s and frequently present before any MOT advisory is raised. Feel for any vibration through the steering or brake pedal, which could indicate warped discs or worn wheel bearings, and listen for any timing chain rattle on a cold start, a known concern on the 1.4 T-Jet engine family at this mileage that warrants immediate professional inspection. Finally, verify the service book stamps to confirm that the cambelt, if due on a mileage or age interval, and the brake fluid, coolant, and gearbox oil have been changed on a calendar basis as well as a mileage basis, as fluid degradation from age alone can compromise braking performance and cooling efficiency long before the MOT inspection would flag any concern.