2017 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · PL17 LBA

The most recent DVSA examination on 27 August 2025 resulted in a Pass, although three advisories were issued that warrant attention. The near-side front shock absorber was noted as having a light misting of oil, suggesting early seal degradation that typically progresses over time and may eventually lead to a noticeable reduction in damping efficiency or a damp patch on the bodywork beneath the unit. The off-side rear shock absorber bush was recorded as slightly worn, which can develop into clonking noises over uneven surfaces as the tolerance increases within the mounting. Additionally, the exhaust mounting was flagged as defective due to corroded and missing front and rear clamps; a poorly supported exhaust can sag, contacting the underbody and producing rattles or exhaust gas leaks at the joints. While these items alone did not justify a failure, their cumulative presence indicates that secondary components are beginning to reach the latter stages of their service life, pointing to a maintenance trend that is stable but with gradual deterioration rather than outright decline. The recorded mileage of 48,320 miles over an approximate nine-year span equates to an annual usage of around 5,369 miles, which is considerably below the national average and suggests the vehicle has either been used primarily for short urban journeys or has spent extended periods standing. The MOT record corroborates this with several visible gaps in testing, including the periods between 2020 and 2021 and between 2022 and 2023, indicating possible lay-up periods or very infrequent use. Such low-mileage, low-utilisation patterns tend to produce calendar-related degradation rather than wear-based wear, often manifesting as dried rubber components, oxidised brake surfaces, and degraded fluids. Given the low annual mileage, several age-related items should form the focus of any pre-purchase physical inspection. The tyres, despite recent replacements on the front axle as evidenced by the 2023 and 2024 advisory notes regarding edge wear, should be examined closely for sidewall perishing and cracking, particularly on the rear axle where the 2021 advisory flagged damage and perishing on both rear tyres. Brake discs on a low-use vehicle are highly susceptible to corrosion and pitting, and although the front discs were noted as worn and pitted in 2021, the rear drums or discs should be inspected for binding calipers or seized mechanisms that can occur from prolonged standing. On the test drive, listen for suspension clonks or knocks over speed bumps, as the lower suspension arm bushes were previously classified as Dangerous prior to repair in 2024 and warrant verification of the quality and integrity of that rectification. Further mechanical and fluid-based checks are advisable given the vehicle's age and low usage profile. The 12-volt battery is likely to have been subjected to irregular charging cycles, and its state of health should be tested with a load or conductance tester, as a marginal battery is a common failure point on infrequently driven cars. All fluid services, including engine oil, brake fluid, coolant, and the manual transmission or automated manual gearbox oil where applicable, should be confirmed as recent, as calendar-based degradation of these fluids can compromise braking performance, corrosion protection, and engine lubrication regardless of mileage. The Fiat 500 is also known for timing belt replacement intervals typically at five years or 60,000 miles, so confirmation of the timing belt and tensioner replacement history is essential, particularly if service records are incomplete. Finally, inspect the underside for standing corrosion, exhaust integrity given the recent advisory, and any oil seepage from the engine and gearbox, as nine years of environmental exposure combined with low mileage can produce leaks that may not have been evident on previous MOT roller tests.