2016 Fiat 500 1.2L Petrol · YR16 AAU

A pattern of front‑suspension wear coupled with a serious rear‑suspension failure dominates the recent MOT history; the latest test on 21 April 2026 records a pass for most items but also a failure for an off‑side rear coil‑spring that is fractured, a defect that must be rectified before the car can be considered road‑legal. Recurrent advisories about both nearside and off‑side front suspension arm pins or bushes being worn, together with repeated warnings about front anti‑roll‑bar linkage dust‑covers allowing dirt ingress and excessively worn rear shock‑absorber bushes, show a consistent focus on the suspension system. The vehicle has also accumulated a series of minor advisories – temporary number‑plate fitting, corroding exhaust brackets and intermittent side‑light faults – but none of these outweigh the critical rear‑spring issue. At 47,403 mi the car averages just under 4,800 mi per year, well below the typical annual mileage for a ten‑year‑old small car. The MOT records are continuous, with a test each year, indicating that the vehicle has not been subject to long periods of inactivity that would otherwise raise concerns about fluid degradation or battery health. Low cumulative mileage generally reduces overall wear on drivetrain and brake components, yet the suspension wear highlighted above suggests that the limited use may have been punctuated by harsh road inputs or that the original components have simply reached the end of their service life despite the modest mileage. For a prospective buyer the foremost priority is the rear coil‑spring fracture; this component bears the vehicle’s rear weight and any failure can lead to loss of wheel control. A visual inspection should confirm that the spring is intact and correctly seated, and a bounce test on the rear axle should be free of excessive movement or clunking. The front suspension arm pins and bushes, flagged in every MOT, are likely to be near the end of their service interval; feel for any play when the wheel is rocked at the 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock positions and listen for knocking over bumps. The rear shock‑absorber bushes, recorded as excessively worn, should be examined for looseness and for any oil leakage around the shock bodies, and a test‑drive should reveal whether the rear end exhibits a harsh, uncontrolled bounce or a noticeable sag under load. Secondary items to verify include the front exhaust clamp and bracket, both noted as corroded; a rattling noise from the exhaust during acceleration or over uneven surfaces would indicate that the clamp is no longer securing the pipe. The intermittent off‑side front sidelight fault should be checked by cycling the light on and off and observing any irregular illumination. Finally, the rear tyres were previously reported with cracking and embedded nails; a thorough tread inspection should confirm that the tyres are free of cuts, bulges or foreign objects and that tread depth remains within legal limits. Addressing the major suspension defects and confirming the condition of these ancillary items will be essential before the car can be deemed road‑worthy.