2018 Abarth 595 1.4L Petrol · PO68 NLJ

The Abarth 595 presents a clean and stable maintenance trend. The most recent MOT, conducted on 30 April 2025 at 22,389 miles, passed with zero defects recorded. This follows a consistent pattern of clean passes stretching back to May 2022, indicating no recurring mechanical or structural faults have been flagged by testers over the last four years. The vehicle's roadworthiness status is currently sound based on the official DVSA record. The mileage profile tells an unusual story. Between the May 2022 test at 10,494 miles and the April 2024 test at 17,738 miles, the car covered 7,244 miles in roughly two years. Yet from April 2024 to April 2025, it added just 4,651 miles. The recorded mileage of 22,389 miles today, 14 months after the last test, suggests the car has barely moved. That is fewer than 100 miles per month since the last MOT. Such prolonged standing raises its own concerns, even if the defect record remains spotless. A buyer should focus on components that deteriorate through inactivity rather than use. Tyres may look legal but could have flat-spotted or perished sidewalls from sitting stationary for extended periods. Brake discs and calipers are prone to surface corrosion and binding when a car is not driven regularly. The exhaust system, particularly the catalytic converter and lambda sensors, should be checked for moisture-related corrosion from short trips that never reach operating temperature. Suspension bushes and seals can also dry out and crack without regular movement. Beyond the static deterioration risks, the clean MOT history itself warrants a brief reality check. Five consecutive passes with no advisories on a performance hatchback is unusual. A physical inspection underneath is essential to verify structural integrity of the subframes, inner wing arches, and suspension mounting points. The brake lines, fuel lines, and flexible hoses should be examined for perishing. Test the car from cold and listen for exhaust blows, particularly around the manifold and flexi-joint. Low mileage and a clean record are encouraging, but a car that has sat unused demands a thorough hands-on assessment before any commitment.