2019 Abarth 595 1.4L Petrol · YA68 UBV

Over the six MOT tests recorded between January 2022 and June 2026, this 2019 Abarth 595 has passed every examination without a single failure, yet the advisory record tells a more nuanced story than a clean pass sheet might suggest. Each of the last three tests has surfaced at least one advisory, with the items flagged pointing towards the consumable wear typical of a performance-oriented supermini that has covered meaningful miles. The most recent test on 18 June 2026 recorded an offside front inner suspension arm bush that is debonding, following brake-related advisories on the rear disc and front pads in January 2026, and earlier tyre wear advisories in January 2022. The trend is one of gradually emerging wear rather than acute deterioration, but a buyer should not interpret the unbroken pass history as evidence that the underlying components are sound. The recorded mileage of 57,979 miles across roughly seven years equates to an annual accumulation of approximately 8,283 miles, which sits broadly in line with average UK usage for a car of this age. There are no notable gaps in the MOT history and no extended periods off the road that would raise concerns about seized brakes, deteriorated fuel, or flat-spotted tyres. However, the mileage is sufficient that standard wear items such as brake discs, pads, tyres, and suspension bushes are now requiring attention, and the advisories on record align with what would be expected at this odometer reading rather than indicating any premature failure. For a hot hatch of this type, which places greater thermal and mechanical demand on braking and suspension components than a standard Fiat 500, the wear pattern observed is consistent with the vehicle's design and use case. The advisory recorded in June 2026 concerning the offside front inner suspension arm bush is the most mechanically significant item on the file and warrants close inspection. Debonding of a suspension bush is a progressive fault; it will not appear as a failure on an MOT until movement exceeds the prescribed tolerance, so the present state is likely a deterioration that has been developing for some time. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension over speed humps, uneven road surfaces, and during sharp direction changes at low speed, and feel for vagueness or imprecise response through the steering, particularly over mid-corner bumps. Slack in the front end under braking or any wandering at speed would suggest the bush has worn beyond the advisory threshold. The brake-related advisories from January 2026 are also worth scrutinising. An offside rear brake disc worn but not excessively means the disc has thinned or developed a lip through normal use and is approaching the point at which it would fail a future test, while the front pads wearing thin suggest replacement is due in the near term. During a road test, check for any judder or vibration through the brake pedal, particularly under firm stopping from higher speeds, and listen for grinding or scraping noises that would indicate the pads have worn to the metal backing. Additionally, the small crack in the front screen noted in the same test should be examined to ensure it has not grown or extended to the driver's primary line of sight, as any further propagation would result in a failure. Finally, given the recurring pattern of advisories across consecutive tests, a pre-purchase inspection on a lift is advisable to confirm the condition of the rear brake discs, front pads, and the full suspension assembly, particularly the front inner arms and their bushes.