2020 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · RE20 MYA

The 2020 Fiat 500 presents a mixed maintenance picture. The most recent MOT, passed on 9 March 2026 at 55,106 miles, is only three months old, yet it already recorded four separate advisories. The tester flagged worn and pitted front brake discs, a worn offside rear shock absorber bush, a defective nearside front wiper blade, and a minor front exhaust gas leak. These are not critical failures, but their presence on a test conducted so recently suggests the vehicle has not been carefully prepared, which raises questions about the owner's general attentiveness. Comparing this to the clean passes in June 2023 at 27,900 miles and March 2024 at 29,242 miles, the trend is clearly worsening rather than stable. The car went from zero advisories to accumulating multiple items over a short period. Mileage accumulation tells a fairly conventional story. The vehicle has covered roughly 55,100 miles over six years, averaging about 9,180 miles per year, which sits within normal parameters for a small city car. The jump from 29,242 miles in March 2024 to 44,621 miles in March 2025 represents approximately 15,379 miles in twelve months, a notable step up in usage. That single year accounted for nearly a third of the car's total recorded life. The following interval, from March 2025 to March 2026, added only around 10,485 miles, which is still above the long-term average but more moderate. There are no suspicious gaps in the MOT record that would suggest long periods off the road, and the annual testing pattern is consistent. A buyer should pay close attention to the front braking system. The pitted and worn front brake discs flagged in March 2026 indicate surface degradation that can compromise braking efficiency and accelerate pad wear. Inspect the discs for scoring depth and lateral run-out, and check whether the pads have been replaced or if they are running on damaged surfaces. The worn offside rear shock absorber bush points to suspension component fatigue. Examine all four dampers for oil misting or weeping, and check the rear bushings and top mounts for play. The minor front exhaust leak noted in the same test warrants inspection of the front pipe and manifold joints for carbon tracking or cracking, as small leaks can worsen and affect emissions compliance. The 2025 test at 44,621 miles revealed a different set of concerns that may or may not have been addressed. The engine oil level was recorded as very low, and an oil leak from the timing cover side was noted. Check the engine oil level on a cold, level surface and inspect the timing cover area for fresh seepage, which could indicate a failing gasket. The offside front steering rack inner joint play and the nearside front tyre sidewall damage flagged that year should also be verified. Rack joints can introduce vague steering feel, and sidewall damage is a latent failure risk regardless of tread depth. A thorough test drive covering varied road surfaces and a full steering sweep in both directions would help confirm whether these items were rectified or remain outstanding.