2009 Abath 500 Essensse 500 1.4L Petrol · WA09 AYK

This 2009 Abath 500 Essesse presents a stable and improving mechanical picture heading into 2026. The most recent test on 13 January 2026 at 73,783 miles passed cleanly with zero defects or advisories, a marked turnaround from the repeated issues flagged in the two prior years. The maintenance trend is clearly resolving, suggesting the previous owner addressed the exhaust, suspension, and tyre wear problems that had persisted across multiple tests. The vehicle has covered roughly 4,340 miles per year over its seventeen-year life, which is notably low. The record shows a steady and believable accumulation: 61,898 miles in January 2024, 66,095 miles in January 2025, and 73,783 miles in January 2026, representing approximately 7,700 miles per year over the last two years after a period of lighter use. This recent uptick in annual mileage indicates the car is being driven regularly rather than sitting idle, which helps keep seals, bushes, and drivetrain components lubricated and functional. Despite the clean 2026 result, the 2024 and 2025 records reveal a cluster of suspension and structural concerns that warrant close physical inspection. The offside front and rear shock absorbers repeatedly showed light oil misting across three consecutive tests, a classic sign of deteriorating damper seals that may now have been replaced given the clean pass. The offside front Macpherson strut top mount or bush was flagged as worn in both January 2025 tests, and the rear axle was noted as rusty during the same period. A buyer should have the front suspension mountings, shock absorbers, and rear axle inspected for corrosion depth and structural integrity, paying particular attention to the subframe mounting points and any surface rust that could indicate deeper penetration. The January 2025 failure also recorded a major exhaust Lambda reading fault and a rear exhaust gas leak, both of which appear to have been rectified before the retest the following day. The nearside front inner CV boot was split in January 2024, and multiple tyre wear advisories appeared across 2025, pointing to either alignment issues or neglected routine checks. A prospective buyer should verify the exhaust system for fresh welds or replacement sections, check the CV joint for play and grease contamination, and confirm the wheel alignment is within specification given the recurring uneven tyre wear patterns.