2004 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · CE54 AEL

The most recent MOT, conducted on 11 September 2025 at 163,960 miles, shows a clean pass with no defects recorded, and the maintenance trend across the full history is stable and consistently clean. The preceding test on 9 September 2025 also failed at the same mileage with no defects logged, which is an unusual record; the immediate re-test two days later passed outright. That pattern normally indicates the original failure was rectified quickly, but both entries showing no defects means the DVSA record offers no detail on what the fault was. Either way, the vehicle has now secured three consecutive clean passes since August 2023, with no advisory items appearing at any point. The mileage pattern shows steady, moderate use. Between the August 2023 test at 152,854 miles and the September 2024 test at 158,969 miles, the car covered roughly 6,115 miles in 13 months. From that September 2024 test to September 2025, it added about 4,991 miles in 12 months. That is below the lifetime average of approximately 7,453 miles per year, suggesting recent lighter usage rather than hard commercial service. A 22-year-old Fiesta at 163,960 miles is not low mileage, but there are no large gaps in the history to suggest long periods of standing, which is a positive sign against seized brakes or perished rubber. Because the MOT record carries no flagged defects or advisories, there is nothing in the official data that points to an ongoing mechanical fault. However, a clean MOT at that age and mileage should not be mistaken for a car free of developing wear. A buyer should inspect the rear suspension bushes and coil springs for perishing or cracking, and check the brake discs and calipers for binding, uneven wear, or lip formation, as these are common failure points on this generation of Fiesta. Structural corrosion in the sills, wheel arches, and floor pan also warrants a direct visual check, since underbody rust can progress silently between annual tests. Finally, confirm the clutch take-up and gearbox engagement on a road test, as these are high-wear items at this mileage that a brake test at the MOT station will not expose. The history is clean, but the physical condition of the suspension and bodywork will determine whether this car is a sound buy.