2009 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · RF09 NHD

The 2009 FIAT 500 remains roadworthy following its most recent MOT on 21 February 2025 at 85,640 miles, though the record reveals a maintenance pattern that is stable but inconsistent rather than comprehensively improving. That latest test flagged a minor exhaust gas leak at the flexible pipe, a worn nearside rear shock absorber bush, and an offside rear service brake binding, all of which were advisory or minor in severity and did not prevent a pass. Comparing this to earlier years, the car has moved from repeated tyre and suspension bush wear issues in 2022 and 2023 toward fewer consumable defects by 2025, suggesting some recent attention to basic upkeep. The recurring brake binding and shock absorber wear, however, indicate that running condition monitoring has been reactive rather than preventative. The mileage profile is notably low for a 17-year-old vehicle. At 85,640 miles, the annual average sits around 5,038 miles, well below typical UK usage. The record shows a gap of roughly 6,000 miles between January 2022 and January 2023, then approximately 6,000 miles more by January 2024, before a jump of 6,493 miles in the 13 months leading to February 2025. This suggests the car saw slightly more recent use after a period of lighter driving or possible standing time. Long periods of inactivity can contribute to the perished rear tyres noted in both 2022 and 2023, as well as the corroded Macpherson strut tops flagged in the January 2022 test at 67,444 miles, where corrosion was present but not seriously weakened at that stage. A buyer should pay close attention to the front suspension and subframe area during any physical inspection. The January 2022 test at 67,444 miles identified corrosion on both nearside and offside upper Macpherson strut mounts, and by January 2023 at 73,025 miles the nearside front upper strut pin or bush was worn. These are load-bearing structural points on the FIAT 500, and corrosion combined with bush wear can compromise handling precision and long-term structural integrity if left unaddressed. The offside rear brake binding noted in February 2025 at 85,640 miles, while not excessive, warrants inspection of the caliper slide mechanism and handbrake cable to rule out a sticking caliper that could cause uneven disc wear or overheating. The exhaust flexible pipe leak from the most recent test is another area to verify. Minor gas leaks at flexible sections can worsen over time, particularly on a city car subjected to frequent short trips that accelerate condensation and internal corrosion. A thorough underside inspection should also check the condition of the rear shock absorbers and their mounting bushes, given the nearside rear advisory in 2025. Overall, the vehicle presents as mechanically sound but not meticulously maintained, with a history of addressing failures at test time rather than proactively resolving wear items before they reach advisory or failure thresholds.