2001 FORD FIESTA1.6L Petrol

The vehicle's roadworthiness is currently precarious due to a severe and worsening pattern of structural degradation. While the most recent test on 5 May 2026 at 143,788 miles resulted in a pass, this followed a significant failure just weeks earlier on 15 April 2026. The April failure highlighted extensive corrosion across the offside front floor, offside rear floor, and nearside rear structure, alongside excessively worn axle swivel pins and bushes. The subsequent pass indicates that substantial structural repairs were carried out to address these critical safety defects, specifically regarding the nearside front, offside rear floor, and nearside rear structure. The mileage pattern shows a consistent, low-intensity usage typical of an older vehicle, averaging approximately 5,752 miles per year. Between the 2024 test at 126,237 miles and the 2025 test at 135,168 miles, the car covered 8,931 miles, representing a slight increase in annual usage. The record shows a steady progression of mileage without significant gaps, suggesting the vehicle remains in regular, albeit light, use. However, the low mileage does not correlate with good mechanical condition, as the age of the vehicle has clearly allowed corrosion to become the primary driver of maintenance requirements. A buyer must conduct a rigorous physical inspection of the vehicle's structural integrity. The MOT history reveals a chronic and recurring issue with corrosion that has persisted for years, moving from minor sill and wheel arch corrosion in 2023 to serious structural failures in 2024, 2021, and 2026. It is essential to inspect all repaired areas, including the seat belt mountings, floor pans, and sills, to ensure the recent welding and repairs are of high quality and not merely cosmetic. The presence of underseal mentioned in 2021 suggests previous attempts to mask or treat rust, which warrants careful scrutiny of the chassis and body mountings. Mechanical attention should also be directed toward the braking and suspension systems. The vehicle has a history of parking brake inefficiency and corroded brake pipes, with failures noted in 2019, 2020, and 2025. Furthermore, the recent replacement of axle bushes and the previous issues with Macpherson strut pins and anti-roll bar linkages suggest the suspension components are nearing the end of their service life. While the most recent test passed, the frequency of these component failures indicates a vehicle that requires constant mechanical oversight to remain compliant.