2009 Fiat 500 1.4L Petrol · WN59 KXC

A clean MOT record with no advisories or recorded defects across all three annual tests suggests the Fiat 500 has maintained a consistent standard of roadworthiness, though the absence of any flagged items over successive examinations is unusual for a seventeen year old city car. Most vehicles of this vintage accumulate at least minor advisories for wear related items such as tyre tread depth approaching the legal limit, corroded exhaust sections, or ageing suspension components. The fact that the tester found nothing to record could indicate either a genuinely well maintained vehicle or potentially very low annual mileage, which limits component wear but can introduce its own concerns around aged rubber and seals. The latest test on 23 February 2026 returned a pass, continuing the pattern established in the two prior examinations, and there is no recorded advisory history to suggest any component is deteriorating or approaching a service threshold. The mileage data is unfortunately not available for analysis, with insufficient records to calculate an annual accumulation rate or detect any unusual jumps between tests. For a 2009 Fiat 500, typical usage in the UK tends to average between four and six thousand miles per year given its urban focused character, though many examples accumulate significantly more as secondary household vehicles. Without the recorded mileages, it is impossible to confirm whether this car has covered low, average, or high miles for its age, and a prospective buyer should verify the current odometer reading against any service history or V5C documentation to establish this. A test drive odometer check combined with a HPI or similar provenance report will be essential, as mileage anomalies on small Italian hatchbacks of this era are not unheard of in the used market. For a pre purchase inspection, attention should be directed toward the areas commonly affected on Fiat 500s of this generation, particularly the rear axle beam bushings and front lower suspension arms, which can develop play and knocking over uneven road surfaces. The test drive should include driving over speed bumps and rough tarmac at low speed with the windows down to listen for clonking or rattling from the front suspension, and a figure of eight manoeuvre at slow speed will help reveal any worn steering rack or track rod ends through inconsistent steering response. The braking system should be tested for any pulling to one side under firm pedal application, which could indicate a binding caliper or unevenly worn brake pads, and the pedal itself should feel firm without excessive travel or sponginess that might suggest wear in the rear drum brake actuators. Further areas to scrutinise include the exhaust system for any signs of corrosion around the manifold joint, catalytic converter mounting, and rear silencer, as Fiat 500 exhausts are known to suffer from internal rust and blowing joints once beyond ten years of age. The engine bay should be inspected for any oil residue around the cam cover gasket, oil filter housing, and the base of the engine, as these units are prone to minor seepage with age. The interior boot floor and spare wheel well should be examined for any evidence of water ingress, a known issue on this model where the rear tailgate and side seals can deteriorate. Finally, confirm that the timing belt has been replaced at the recommended four or five year interval, as a neglected cambelt on the 1.2 or 1.4 petrol engine could lead to catastrophic engine failure, and verify the service book or independent garage invoices to confirm this critical maintenance item has been addressed.