2004 Ford Fiesta 1.4L Diesel · EN54 AEU

The vehicle is currently unroadworthy and shows a clear trend of worsening structural and mechanical deterioration. The most recent test in December 2023 at 128,192 miles resulted in a significant failure due to critical structural corrosion on the offside rear inner suspension mounting. This represents a severe escalation from the 2022 advisory where corrosion was noted but not yet considered excessive, indicating that the structural integrity of the chassis is now failing beyond the point of safe operation. At 22 years old, the recorded mileage of 128,192 miles is low, averaging approximately 5,800 miles per year. However, the data reveals a period of accelerated use or potential neglect between 2020 and 2023, where the vehicle covered over 15,000 miles in just three years. The low overall annual mileage has not protected the vehicle from age-related degradation, as the recurring failures of rubber and metal components suggest the car has suffered from environmental oxidation rather than mileage-related wear. A buyer must prioritise a thorough inspection of the entire chassis, specifically focusing on the subframe and mounting points, as the history shows heavy wear and corrosion across all four rear suspension areas. The braking system remains a major concern with records of excessive corrosion on multiple brake pipes as of 2023 and a binding offside front caliper. Furthermore, the steering system requires immediate attention due to a missing rack gaiter and excessively rough operation, which suggests internal damage to the steering rack.