2009 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · RE09 EDO

The most recent DVSA examination on this 2009 FIAT 500, dated 9 October 2025, resulted in a pass with no advisories recorded, which is the immediate reassurance a prospective buyer requires. Notably, the test was preceded on the same date by a failure entry, though again with no defects listed against the record; this pattern strongly suggests an administrative re-submission following an early retest rather than a mechanical concern, particularly as the earlier pass in October 2024 and September 2023 were also returned with no advisories. The absence of recurring advisory text across the visible history indicates that core safety items such as braking components, suspension linkages, tyres, lighting, and exhaust integrity have remained within test limits at successive examinations, presenting a stable maintenance trend rather than a deteriorating one. For a seventeen year old vehicle, this clean record is a positive indicator provided it is corroborated by evidence of regular mechanical servicing. The recorded mileage of 75,365 miles against a 2009 registration equates to an annual average of approximately 4,433 miles, which is substantially below the typical UK driving average for a car of this age. Such low usage is a double edged consideration. On the positive side, major drivetrain components, clutch wear, and brake friction material are likely to have considerable life remaining. On the cautionary side, extended periods of standing are particularly detrimental to certain components: brake discs are prone to surface corrosion and caliper slide pins can seize, leading to uneven pad wear or binding; coolant, brake fluid, and automatic gearbox fluid where applicable degrade by calendar age rather than mileage, losing corrosion inhibition and moisture resistance; the 12 volt battery suffers sulphation from irregular charging cycles; and tyres, even with ample tread, may exhibit sidewall perishing and cracking that would not be flagged on an MOT test if the tread depth remains above the legal 1.6 millimetre threshold. Given the clean MOT record but the very low annual mileage, a physical inspection should prioritise items that suffer from disuse rather than wear. All four tyres should be examined closely for signs of sidewall cracking, UV perishing, and uneven tread wear, with particular attention to inner and outer shoulders which can reveal misalignment from worn suspension bushes. The brake system warrants a thorough check by attempting to drive at low speed and listening for scraping, grinding, or a grinding sensation through the brake pedal, alongside a visual inspection of disc edges for heavy rust lipping and verification that the handbrake holds firmly without excessive travel. On a test drive, listen for suspension clunks or knocking over speed humps and uneven surfaces, which would point to perished anti roll bar bushes, worn drop links, or top mount deterioration, all common on a Fiat 500 of this vintage. The exhaust should be checked for blowing gases at joints and for signs of corrosion at the mounting brackets and silencer, as original equipment steel units of this age frequently show advanced rusting despite no MOT failure being recorded. Finally, verify the service book history and request evidence of time based servicing, including a documented brake fluid change within the last two years and coolant renewal at the manufacturer recommended interval, as these are frequently neglected on low mileage vehicles. Confirm that the cambelt and auxiliary belt have been replaced in accordance with Fiat's schedule, typically every five years or 72,000 miles for the 1.2 litre and 1.4 litre petrol engines fitted to this model, as replacement involves significant labour if neglected. Check the 12 volt battery's state of charge and date code, ensuring it is not older than five years, and inspect the engine bay for any evidence of oil weepage from the cam cover gasket and coolant seepage from the thermostat housing, both known weak points. By combining the reassuring MOT history with these targeted low mileage and age related inspections, a sound purchasing decision can be confidently reached.