2019 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · SS18 SWS

The vehicle passed its most recent DVSA MOT test on 10 February 2026 with no defects or advisories recorded, representing a clean and satisfactory roadworthiness outcome. However, when reviewing the broader four-year MOT history, the maintenance trend is not entirely consistent. The June 2025 test identified advisories relating to wear on both the nearside and offside front suspension arm rear bushes, and the September 2023 test recorded tyre cracking and perishing on three of the four tyres along with a nail in the nearside front tyre. While these are advisories rather than failures, and the absence of advisories at the most recent test is encouraging, the appearance of suspension wear in a relatively low-mileage vehicle suggests that the rubber suspension components may be deteriorating more from age and prolonged standing than from active mechanical wear. The trend can therefore be characterised as broadly stable with isolated wear patterns worth monitoring. With 40,595 miles recorded over approximately seven years, this FIAT 500 is averaging around 5,799 miles per year, which is notably low for its age and indicates either predominantly urban or short-journey usage, or significant periods of standing inactive. The MOT history reflects this low usage with tests recorded roughly annually but no evidence of particularly high annual mileages or rapid accumulation. Mechanically, low mileage with irregular or short journeys can accelerate certain forms of degradation rather than reduce them. Brake discs and calipers can suffer from corrosion or binding due to infrequent use, rubber components such as bushes, seals, and hoses can perish from age rather than wear, exhaust systems can develop internal corrosion from condensation not being expelled through sustained running, and the 12V battery can lose capacity through prolonged standing or frequent short trips that do not allow full recharge. Fluids including brake fluid, coolant, and engine oil also degrade on a calendar basis regardless of mileage covered. For a prospective buyer, the suspension arm rear bush advisories flagged in June 2025 warrant close attention even though they did not result in failure. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks from the front suspension over speed humps, uneven road surfaces, or when turning into driveways, and pay particular attention to any vagueness in steering response or wandering at speed. Inspect the front tyres for uneven inner or outer edge wear which can indicate worn bushes affecting geometry, and verify the vehicle has had a four-wheel alignment check since the advisories were issued. Given the vehicle's age, it would also be prudent to carry out a thorough inspection of all four tyres for sidewall cracking and perishing even if the tread depth is adequate, as rubber degrades with time and the 2023 advisories demonstrate this car is already showing age-related tyre deterioration. Confirm the production date of any replacement tyres fitted since, ensuring they are not themselves six or more years old. Given the low annual mileage and the likely pattern of short trips and standing periods, several age-related items should be verified before purchase. The brake discs should be inspected for surface corrosion, lipping, and any evidence of seized or binding calipers, which may manifest as pulling to one side under braking or juddering. Lift any bonnet or boot seals and inspect for moisture ingress, check under the vehicle for any signs of coolant or oil leaks from aged seals and gaskets, and confirm the timing belt or chain replacement schedule according to FIAT's recommended intervals rather than relying on mileage alone. Verify the service history stamps and ensure brake fluid has been changed at least every two years, as brake fluid is hygroscopic and degrades on a calendar basis. Finally, have the 12V battery load-tested, as low-mileage vehicles frequently suffer from premature battery failure due to insufficient charging cycles, and check that all interior and exterior trim, infotainment, and climate control functions operate correctly, as electrical faults from infrequent use can be more common than wear-related mechanical failures on a vehicle of this profile.