2015 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · WO64 MZP

The 2015 FIAT 500 presents a mixed but broadly stable maintenance picture as of its most recent MOT activity in October 2025. The vehicle failed on 10 October 2025 at 65,556 miles for a smeared offside wiper blade and an oil-misting offside rear shock absorber, then passed on the same day once the wiper was replaced and the advisory shock absorber was noted but not rectified. That tells us the rear dampers are weeping oil, a condition flagged as early as October 2022 on the nearside front and now present on the offside rear. Dampers rarely seal themselves once the internal fluid begins to bypass the piston seal, so expect this to progress. The overall trend is one of gradual consumable and suspension wear rather than acute mechanical neglect, but the recurring shock absorber misting across multiple tests and corners suggests the damping system is reaching the end of its serviceable life. The mileage profile is unusually low for an eleven-year-old car. Between October 2022 at 52,159 miles and October 2025 at 65,556 miles, the vehicle covered just 13,397 miles over three years, averaging roughly 4,466 miles annually. Prior to that, the annual rate sat closer to 5,000 miles. This is well below the UK average of around 7,000 to 8,000 miles per year for a vehicle of this age. Low mileage can preserve bodywork and reduce drivetrain stress, but prolonged standing periods can cause flat-spotted tyres, seized brake calipers, and dried-out rubber bushes. The MOT record shows no sudden mileage jumps or gaps that would raise odometer fraud concerns, and the annual progression is consistent and plausible. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on three areas the MOT history repeatedly highlights. First, the suspension bushes and dampers. Both rear upper suspension bushes were flagged as worn and deteriorated in October 2023, and shock absorber misting has appeared on two separate corners across three years. Have the rear dampers and all four suspension bushes checked for play and deterioration, as a full set of replacements is likely due. Second, the braking system. In October 2024 the tester recorded worn front pads, corroded front discs, and a minor exhaust back box leak. Corroded discs on a low-mileage car often point to standing corrosion rather than wear, so check for lipping, uneven pad transfer, and caliper slider function. Third, the tyre wear pattern. Inner-edge wear on both front tyres appeared in both 2022 and 2023, indicating a toe or camber alignment issue that may persist if not corrected. Inspect the inner sidewalls of all four tyres and verify the tracking is within specification before purchase.