2012 FORD FIESTA1.2L Petrol

The vehicle presents a marginal roadworthiness profile with a maintenance history showing a trend of mechanical wear and deferred preventative care. The most recent test in October 2025 at 104,419 miles saw the car fail due to inoperative hazard lamps and imbalanced front brakes. While it passed upon retry, the tester noted the brakes only just met the minimum requirements, indicating the braking system is reaching the limit of its operational tolerance. This follows a pattern of recurring suspension and steering component failures over the last several years. At 104,419 miles over 14 years, the Fiesta has averaged approximately 7,458 miles per year, which is consistent with typical low-to-moderate usage. The mileage data shows steady progression with consistent intervals of roughly 8,000 to 10,000 miles between annual tests. However, the low rate of accumulation has not prevented the age-related degradation of components, as evidenced by the nearside gearbox leak in 2019 and the various suspension issues flagged during the 2021 and 2023 tests. A buyer must pay close attention to the structural integrity of the vehicle, specifically the 2024 advisory regarding corrosion on the nearside rear structure within 30cm of a mounting. While this was not a failure at the time, rust on the chassis sill often progresses rapidly if not treated. The record also highlights a persistent issue with the steering and suspension, including worn steering rack inner joints, track rod ends, and ball joints. These components should be inspected for excessive play to ensure the vehicle has not developed further instability since the last recorded inspections. The braking system requires immediate scrutiny due to the imbalance issues noted in the October 2025 test, which suggest sticking calipers or worn discs that are providing uneven friction. Given the previous history of a fractured coil spring in 2019 and worn rear axle bushes in 2021, a thorough underbody inspection is necessary to verify that the rubber bushings and metal springs are not on the point of imminent failure.