2014 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · SJ14 LCL

The 2014 FIAT 500 presents a mixed but broadly improving maintenance picture as of its most recent MOT on 21 January 2026, where it passed at 69,058 miles. The tester noted rear suspension arm corrosion but deemed it not seriously weakened, a common advisory on older small hatchbacks used in urban environments. Comparing this to the November 2024 pass with zero defects, the trajectory suggests the previous owner addressed the 2024 failures promptly. The trend is resolving rather than worsening, though the recurring steering and suspension advisories across multiple tests indicate a car that demands careful inspection of its front-end components. At roughly 5,755 miles per year over twelve years, this FIAT 500 has covered low annual mileage. The record shows a notable gap between the September 2023 test at 63,019 miles and the November 2024 test, covering just over 6,000 miles in fourteen months, which is modest but not unusual for a city car. The mileage then appears to have stabilised, with the January 2026 test recording 69,058 miles. Low mileage can mean less drivetrain wear, but prolonged standing periods may explain the corrosion flagged on the rear suspension arm and the perishing of rubber bushes and joints that typically benefit from regular use. The MOT history reveals a pattern of front-end wear that a buyer should examine closely. Play in the steering rack inner joints appeared in both the September 2023 and November 2024 tests, and the nearside track rod end ball joint was sufficiently worn to cause a failure in November 2024. The front suspension arm rear bushes were flagged as worn in September 2023, and the nearside strut top bush showed slight play across two consecutive tests. These are not catastrophic failures, but they point to a car whose steering and suspension consumables have degraded faster than expected for the mileage. A pre-purchase inspection should focus on checking for any remaining play in the rack inner joints, the condition of the track rod ends, and whether the suspension arm bushes have been replaced since the November 2024 repair. The rear suspension arm corrosion noted in January 2026 warrants particular attention. While the tester judged it not seriously weakened at the time, corrosion on a twelve-year-old steel component can progress rapidly, especially if the car has stood for extended periods. A buyer should have the underside inspected for any flaking metal, pitting, or thinning of the arm structure, particularly around mounting points. The insecure exhaust back box clip that caused a failure in September 2023 appears to have been rectified, but it is worth confirming the full exhaust system remains secure and free of corrosion, particularly at joints and hangers. Tyre wear has been a recurring theme, with multiple advisories for tread depth and edge wear, suggesting the car may have spent time on poorly maintained roads or with suboptimal wheel alignment.