2015 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · WN65 OFE

A recurring thread of component-specific advisories, rather than outright mechanical collapse, defines the roadworthiness picture of this 2015 FIAT 500 across its seven recorded tests. The most recent examination on 23 July 2026 returned a clean pass with no advisories, breaking a pattern that had otherwise produced at least one advisory or defect note at every prior test since 2020. That said, the 2024 cycle was not straightforward: the car failed on 27 September 2024 with a Dangerous defect for ply or cords exposed on the nearside rear tyre, a serious condition that would have warranted immediate prohibition from use. The same inspection also recorded an advisory for an inoperative dashboard information display, an issue that resurfaced as an advisory on the subsequent pass later that same day. Earlier advisories include a 2025 note for a damaged but not yet excessive nearside rear brake cable, a 2023 advisory for oil misting on the nearside front shock absorber, a 2020 advisory pair of front brake disc wear and a minor exhaust gas leak, and a 2022 minor for an insecure battery. Taken together, the record is best characterised as mixed rather than strong: clean for structural and emissions integrity, but peppered with advisories on tyres, brake hardware, suspension and ancillaries. The recorded mileage of 33,982 miles over an eleven-year span equates to roughly 3,089 miles per year, which is well below the typical annual accumulation for a city car of this age and considerably under the national average. The MOT timeline shows tests conducted annually from 2020 onwards with no extended gaps in testing, which suggests the vehicle has remained in regular use rather than being laid up for long periods. However, the absolute figure is low enough that age-related deterioration of rubber components, brake hydraulics, corrosion within box sections, and deterioration of flexible hoses remains a relevant consideration regardless of mileage. The recorded brake disc wear advisory from 2020 and the recent brake cable advisory in 2025 are consistent with the natural progression of components ageing on a lightly used but not dormant vehicle. For a prospective buyer, the most pertinent physical inspection should focus on the braking system, the nearside rear wheel area, and the front suspension. The 2025 advisory noted damage to the nearside rear brake cable, so it is worth visually inspecting the handbrake cable run for fraying, corrosion, or stiffness, and confirming the handbrake holds securely on an incline without excessive travel. The 2020 advisories for front brake disc wear should be followed up by feeling for brake pedal judder or vibration under moderate deceleration, which would suggest disc runout or uneven wear, and by checking for any grinding or scraping noises that might indicate pads running low against worn discs. With the 2024 Dangerous tyre failure fresh in the record, all four tyres and the spare should be examined for cuts, bulges, and tread depth, with particular attention to the nearside rear as that side has previously shown sidewall vulnerability. The 2023 advisory for oil misting on the nearside front shock absorber warrants a check for fresh oil residue on the damper body and a road test over uneven surfaces to listen for clonking or knocking that would indicate worn top mounts or spring seats. During a road test, attention should also be paid to the dashboard information display flagged in 2024, confirming whether the readouts are now fully functional, as intermittent electrical faults on this model can recur. The 2020 minor exhaust leak advisory means the exhaust should be listened to at idle and under load for any ticking, hissing, or louder-than-expected exhaust note, with the front section and manifold gasket area particularly worth a torch inspection for soot deposits. The 2022 minor noting an insecure battery suggests checking under the bonnet that the battery is properly clamped, terminals are clean and tight, and there is no evidence of acid staining on the tray. Given the low annual mileage, it is also prudent to confirm that the vehicle has been used regularly enough to keep seals, gaskets, and brake components from seizing, asking directly about any periods of inactivity and how the car was stored, as prolonged standing can produce the very corrosion and dried-seal issues that age-related advisories in this record hint at.