2010 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · VN10 HLE

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance history reveals a pattern of reactive repairs rather than proactive upkeep. While the November 2025 test at 52,904 miles resulted in a pass, it followed a failure just two days prior that highlighted multiple critical defects. The trend is unstable, as the car consistently fails with significant faults involving braking, suspension, and exhaust components, suggesting that the owner only addresses mechanical issues when they threaten the MOT certificate status. At 52,904 miles, this 16-year-old Fiat 500 has exceptionally low mileage, averaging approximately 3,300 miles per year. This low usage often leads to the degradation of rubber-based components and corrosion due to lack of movement. Between November 2024 and November 2025, the vehicle covered only 3,006 miles, yet it presented with severe failures including exposed ply cords on tyres and perished shock absorber bushes. This indicates that the low mileage is not protecting the vehicle from age-related wear or catastrophic component failure. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the suspension and braking systems. The record shows a recurring history of binding front brakes and imbalanced rear brakes, which may indicate seized calipers or perished slider pins. The tester also noted corrosion on the rear suspension arm in 2025 and previously broken shock absorber top mounts in 2024. These areas should be checked for advanced structural rust to ensure the corrosion has not progressed beyond the minor levels noted by the inspectors. The exhaust system also requires attention, as the history shows a split flex pipe and corroded silencer box dating back to 2024, followed by a defective mounting clamp in 2025. Given the previous failure for an ABS warning lamp and a distorted front wheel, the buyer should also verify that the electronic fault has been properly rectified and not merely cleared. The frequent appearance of poor tyre condition in the 2025 failure suggests that basic consumable maintenance is neglected, necessitating a fresh check of all remaining rubber and tread depth.