2007 Fiat Sedici 1.6L Petrol · RF57 MMK

The most recent DVSA examination on 3 November 2025 returned a Pass, but the advisory items recorded on that test are significant from a roadworthiness perspective. All four brake pipes, both front and both rear, were noted as corroded and covered in grease or other material. This is the second consecutive test where brake pipe corrosion has been flagged, following a similar advisory in October 2024 for the offside rear pipe after the flexi hose. The presence of grease is a known short-term palliative applied to slow surface corrosion, but it does not address underlying pipe wall degradation, and with the condition now affecting the entire brake circuit, replacement of the affected sections should be anticipated. Combined with a previously noted minor exhaust gas leak from the central exhaust section, the overall trend suggests the vehicle is entering a phase where age-related deterioration of underbody components is accelerating, and a prospective buyer should treat the braking and exhaust systems as priority areas for inspection and likely remediation. The recorded mileage of 67,953 miles across approximately nineteen years equates to an annual average of around 3,576 miles, which is considerably below typical usage for a vehicle of this age. Such low annual mileage is consistent with either a vehicle used predominantly for short journeys or one that has spent extended periods standing. Short-trip use tends to promote premature wear of components that suffer from infrequent heat cycling, including brake discs, which can develop corrosion lipping and judder from surface rust, and the 12V battery, which rarely achieves a full state of charge. Conversely, extended periods of inactivity encourage the deterioration of rubber and polymer components, including suspension bushes, brake seals, flexible hoses, and tyre sidewalls, all of which harden and crack with age irrespective of mileage. The MOT history does not show any obvious large mileage gaps that would suggest a dormant period, but the general principle of calendar-based degradation remains highly relevant. Given the documented pattern of front suspension arm bush wear, culminating in a Major failure in October 2023 for an excessively worn rear bush on the nearside, the suspension should be regarded as a known weak point on this vehicle. The 2022 advisory on both bottom arm rear bushes, followed by the 2023 Major, indicates progressive wear that was clearly being monitored before the component finally failed. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocking from the front end over speed humps, uneven tyre wear particularly on the inner or outer edges, and vague or wandering steering response, all of which would suggest the bushes or related components have worn again since rectification. The fact that the most recent test in 2025 did not re-flag the suspension suggests those components are presently within tolerance, but given the recurring nature of the issue a thorough physical examination on a ramp is advisable. Beyond the recorded defects, several age-related checks merit attention. The tyres, despite presumably modest wear given the low mileage, may exhibit sidewall perishing or cracking, which is a common MOT failure point on vehicles of this vintage and should be examined closely for hairline fissures. Brake calipers and rear drum mechanisms can seize from lack of use, so a test drive should include firm pedal applications to confirm the vehicle pulls evenly and does not exhibit binding or pulling to one side. Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time and should have been renewed on a calendar basis regardless of mileage, so verifying the service history for a recent fluid change is worthwhile. Similarly, coolant and transmission fluid lose their protective properties with age, and confirmation of recent servicing through stamps or invoices would strengthen confidence. The exhaust system, given the noted leak, warrants a physical check for corrosion at joints and the silencer, and the underbody generally should be inspected for the brake pipe condition raised at the last test, as surface corrosion progresses steadily and may soon require pipe replacement to maintain roadworthiness.