2018 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · WX68 LDJ

A clear pattern of front axle wear dominates the mechanical history of this 2018 FIAT 500, with edge wear on both front tyres appearing across consecutive MOT tests and a tracking or alignment concern explicitly flagged in the most recent examination. The 2024 test passed but recorded worn front tyres, worn suspension arm pins or bushes on both sides at the front, and a slightly damaged rear tyre, while the September 2025 test recorded a major failure for a non-conforming rear registration plate alongside two advisories for front tyres worn close to the legal limit on their inner edges and a recommendation for a four-wheel alignment check. A subsequent pass on the same date followed, indicating the plate issue was rectified and the tyres were presumably renewed, yet the underlying geometry problem that is consuming the inner shoulders of the front tyres remains the single most important mechanical risk a buyer must verify has been addressed. Mileage accumulation on this vehicle is notably restrained for its age, with just 29,801 miles recorded over eight years, equating to an average of roughly 3,725 miles annually and confirming it as a low-use example. There are no extended gaps in the testing record, with annual MOTs consistently performed between 2022 and 2025, suggesting the car has remained on the road throughout. Such low annual mileage typically preserves the engine, transmission and interior condition but can accelerate deterioration of items that suffer from underuse, including brake discs surface corroding prematurely, tyre sidewalls developing fine cracking from prolonged static loading, and seals or bushes drying out. The repeated advisories on front tyres and suspension components suggest the modest mileage has not entirely insulated the car from progressive wear on components exposed to kerbing, potholes, or simply age-hardened rubber. Before committing to this FIAT 500, a prospective buyer should insist on documentary evidence that the alignment issue noted on the 2025 test has been corrected following the renewal of the front tyres, and should request a printed alignment report confirming camber and toe settings are within manufacturer tolerance. The nearside and offside front suspension arm pins or bushes flagged in 2024 should be physically inspected for any renewed free play, as these components deteriorate gradually and can progress from advisory to failure if not replaced; on a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the front end over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and feel for vagueness or wandering in the steering, particularly on motorway lanes. Examine the inner shoulders of the front tyres directly for feathering or stepped wear, and inspect the rear tyre noted as damaged for any sidewall bulging or visible cracking, as perishing rubber on an eight-year-old car can fail unexpectedly. Given the registration plate failure, confirm in person that the rear plate is the correct reflective type, properly spaced, and displaying the correct character format, as this is a straightforward but commonly reoffending compliance item. A thorough roadworthy inspection should also include a check of the rear brake discs for any lipping or roughness indicating corrosion from low-speed use, and the underside of the vehicle for any fluid seepage, with particular attention to the exhaust hangers and subframe mounting areas, which on city cars of this age can suffer from surface corrosion. Finally, verify that there are no warning lights illuminated on the dashboard, that the clutch operates without slip or judder given the low annual mileage which can lead to occasional master cylinder sticking, and that all warning bulbs extinguish on start-up, as the MOT history alone cannot reveal intermittent electronic faults.