2018 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · RX68 FPC

The 2018 FIAT 500 presents a stable but mechanically weary maintenance trend, culminating in a pass at its most recent test on 1 April 2026 at 77,803 miles. That pass was preceded by a failure on the same day for a structurally torn nearside rear inner tyre, indicating the previous owner addressed an immediate safety risk but only just scraped through on other advisories. The tester flagged a persistent minor oil leak and an inoperative offside registration plate lamp on both the failure and pass certificates. This pattern suggests the vehicle is being kept running to a legal minimum rather than proactively repaired. The mileage accumulation of roughly 9,725 miles per year is entirely typical for a city car of this age, with no suspicious gaps or sudden jumps in the record. The 8,308-mile jump between April 2024 and March 2025 shows consistent daily use rather than long periods of dormancy. However, the MOT history is notably sparse, with only five recorded tests across eight years of ownership. This thin record makes it difficult to verify whether interim servicing was carried out, and the recurring nature of certain faults points to chronic neglect rather than isolated failures. The most concerning recurring theme is the suspension and chassis wear. In the March 2025 failure at 69,477 miles, both front wishbone rear bushes were excessively worn, a fault that typically manifests as vague steering and knocking over bumps. The fact that the car passed in April 2025 without this item being flagged suggests either a repair or a masking retest, but buyers should physically inspect these bushes and the front suspension arms for play. Tyre wear is another persistent issue, with nearside and offside front and rear tyres repeatedly worn to or near the legal limit, along with a nail puncture and a structural sidewall tear. This uneven and premature wear hints at possible alignment issues or worn suspension geometry that has not been corrected. The oil leak from the corroded sump pan has appeared in three consecutive tests from 2025 onward, consistently noted as not yet excessive. A buyer should inspect the sump and underbody for fresh pooling or drips, as a worsening leak could lead to catastrophic oil loss. The rear exhaust clamp was missing in 2024, and the windscreen has carried a chip through multiple tests without repair. These are minor items individually, but collectively they paint a picture of a vehicle where cosmetic and slow-developing faults are tolerated rather than resolved. A thorough underbody inspection and a test drive focused on front-end knocking and steering precision are strongly advised before purchase.