2016 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · SF65 RTH

The defining mechanical story of this 2016 Fiat 500 is one of chronic front and rear suspension wear combined with persistent corrosion advisories on the rear sub-frame. Across the recorded DVSA history, the vehicle has suffered two fractured coil springs (offside rear in November 2025 and offside front in November 2023) and excessively deteriorated bushes on the upper rear shock absorbers in 2023, indicating that the suspension components are subject to ongoing degradation. The rear sub-frame corrosion advisory has appeared at every test since at least 2022, demonstrating that while the structure is not deemed seriously weakened, the corrosion is persistent and progressive. Front brake disc pitting or scoring has also been flagged at virtually every annual test, alongside brake pad wear advisories in 2023 and 2024. The most recent test on 24 November 2025 did result in a pass, but only after a failure two days earlier for the broken offside rear coil spring, and the same front tyre wear advisories remain on record. The overall trend across the eight recorded tests is therefore one of consistent, recurring advisories rather than a clean roadworthiness profile. The recorded mileage of 41,162 miles over roughly ten years equates to an annual accumulation of around 4,116 miles, which is below average for a vehicle of this age and type. The MOT history shows testing gaps in early 2019, 2020, and 2022, but the recorded mileages between tests (for example around 5,400 miles between the 2023 and 2024 tests, and 7,000 miles between 2022 and 2023) are consistent with regular but modest driving. Mechanically, lower annual mileage reduces wear on major drivetrain components but does not prevent the issues evident in the history, particularly corrosion of structural elements and degradation of rubber suspension bushes and coil springs, which deteriorate with age and exposure to road conditions regardless of distance covered. The pattern of component failures within relatively short intervals suggests that age-related degradation is the dominant factor rather than high-mileage wear. A prospective buyer should focus their pre-purchase inspection on the suspension and braking components that have been repeatedly flagged. The fractured coil springs on both the offside front and offside rear indicate a pattern that warrants close attention; listen for clonking or rattling noises from the front or rear suspension over uneven surfaces and pay attention to any uneven ride height, particularly on the offside rear corner. The upper rear shock absorber bushes should be checked for excessive play, which can manifest as a loose or wandering rear end over bumps. With the rear sub-frame corrosion advisory now appearing across several consecutive tests, the area beneath the boot floor and around the rear axle mounting points should be examined for any progression beyond surface corrosion, ideally with the vehicle raised on a ramp. On a test drive, brake pedal feel should be assessed for any judder or vibration under braking, which would suggest the pitted front discs have worn further since the 2024 advisory, and the front brake pads should be measured for remaining thickness. Additional checks should address the front tyres, which were both flagged as worn on the edge and close to the legal limit in late 2025, and the front exhaust flexi, which showed slight corrosion in 2023 and 2024. Inspect both front tyres for uneven shoulder wear, which can indicate suspension geometry issues such as worn wishbone bushes or top mounts, and verify that replacements have been fitted recently. The exhaust system should be examined with the engine running for any blowing sounds from the flexi joint, and the vehicle should be raised to check for any further corrosion around the rear sub-frame mounting points, exhaust hangers, and brake pipes, as these are typical corrosion hotspots on a ten-year-old city car. Given the recurring nature of the brake disc and pad advisories, prospective buyers should budget for imminent replacement of the front braking components alongside the tyres.