2017 Abarth 695 1.4L Petrol · SA17 AGU

The vehicle’s most recent MOT, conducted just six months ago on 2025-11-27 , confirms it remains roadworthy but reveals a concerning trend of recurring mechanical issues. The tester flagged rear brake pads wearing thin and play in the near-side front steering rack inner joint , while the previous test in 2024-10-26 had already identified bilateral steering rack wear . This suggests a persistent problem with the steering rack’s bushings or mounting, which—if left unaddressed—could lead to increased play, compromised alignment, and eventual failure. The absence of any major structural or safety-critical failures in earlier tests (notably the clean records from 2023, 2022, and 2021 ) implies the current issues are not acute but have been allowed to develop over time. Buyers should treat these as red flags for deferred maintenance rather than isolated incidents. The recorded mileage of 41,402 miles over nine years—roughly 4,600 miles annually —is unusually low for a vehicle of this age, particularly given the ABarth’s sport-tuned nature. This suggests either light usage or prolonged periods of inactivity, which could accelerate certain forms of wear, such as suspension corrosion or brake fluid degradation. The gaps between tests are consistent, with each MOT occurring within a month of the previous one, but the lack of intermediate servicing records means no insight exists into whether critical fluids (brakes, steering, differential) were refreshed or whether suspension components were inspected for rust or wear. The 2021-2022 period saw a slight mileage jump from 12,974 to 18,263 miles , but the overall trend remains stable rather than aggressive. A buyer should prioritise an independent inspection of the steering rack , particularly the inner joints and mounting points, as the repeated advisories indicate progressive wear. The rear brake pads , though not yet at failure, are approaching the threshold where uneven wear could compromise stopping performance, so thickness and condition should be verified. Given the low mileage, corrosion —especially in suspension components, subframes, and wheel arches—warrants scrutiny, as prolonged standing can accelerate rust in high-stress areas. The exhaust system should also be checked for leaks or damage, as emissions-related failures are common in high-performance vehicles with aged catalytic converters. While the MOT history shows no major structural concerns, these areas demand thorough examination to confirm the vehicle hasn’t suffered hidden deterioration.