1996 FORD FIESTA1.3L PETROL

This 1996 Ford Fiesta last failed its MOT on 17 September 2015 at 50,365 miles, and there is no record of a subsequent pass. The maintenance trend is clearly worsening. That final test uncovered serious structural corrosion to both rear seat belt anchorage areas and the nearside inner sill by the axle mount, which are prescribed area failures indicating compromised structural integrity. The tester also flagged excessively corroded front brake pipes, a deteriorated nearside rear brake hose, and suspension arm bushes with excessive movement. Multiple tyres were below the 1.6mm legal limit, and both front coil springs were corroded. The car has sat unused for over a decade since that failure, and the mileage has remained frozen at 50,365 miles since 2015. The mileage profile is extremely low at roughly 1,679 miles per year across its life, but the MOT record suggests the car was driven consistently if sparingly up to 2015. Between September 2013 and September 2015, the mileage moved from 46,164 to 50,365, a gain of 4,201 miles in two years. The complete absence of any MOT record after September 2015, combined with the unchanged mileage, points to the vehicle being parked up and unused for over ten years. Long-term standing introduces its own risks, including deteriorated brake hydraulics from moisture ingress, seized calipers, perished rubber bushes and hoses, and fuel system degradation. A buyer should treat this car as a non-runner requiring a full mechanical recommissioning before any road use. The 2015 failure identified corroded brake pipes and hoses that will need complete replacement, along with the corroded coil springs and worn suspension bushes. The structural corrosion at the rear seat belt anchorages and inner sill is the most concerning finding, as it affects the vehicle's crashworthiness and may require welding by a specialist to achieve a passable inspection. The tyres will certainly need replacement after a decade of standing, and the brake discs and pads will have surface corrosion that demands assessment. Beyond the flagged items, the long period of inactivity raises additional concerns. The fuel system should be inspected for tank internal corrosion and degraded lines, and the engine should be checked for seized components before attempting to start it. The cooling system, including hoses and the radiator, may have deteriorated internally. Suspension bushes that were already showing wear in 2015 will almost certainly have degraded further. The exhaust system, which had a major leak noted in the 2013 failure, should be thoroughly examined for corrosion through the full length of the system. This vehicle's low mileage is not necessarily an advantage given its prolonged stationary condition, and any purchase should be contingent on a detailed inspection by a qualified mechanic.