2007 Ford Fusion 1.6L Diesel · AD07 ABZ

A clear and consistent pattern of advisories has built up across the MOT history of this 2007 Ford Fusion, particularly around underbody corrosion, brake pipe condition, and minor wear items on suspension and wheels. The most recent test on 10 December 2025 resulted in a pass, but only after the vehicle failed the previous day on items that were identical to those carried forward as advisories. In every recorded test from December 2023 through December 2025, an oil leak not deemed excessive has been flagged, and the offside rear brake pipe has been repeatedly noted as corroded and covered in grease or similar material. A major exhaust gas leak was identified on the failed attempt of 3 December 2024, and a binding offside front service brake was noted at the same test. More structurally significant is the 2023 advisory recording corrosion to a lower integral body structure, with the examiner confirming at the time that rigidity was not significantly reduced, but this remains a marker that the chassis condition warrants close physical inspection rather than assumption. A track rod end ball joint with slight play, a slightly distorted rear wheel, and a deteriorating front registration plate also appeared on the most recent record, continuing an established pattern rather than representing isolated events. The recorded mileage of 108,344 miles against a 2007 manufacture date equates to roughly 5,700 miles per year on average, which is low for a vehicle of this age. The MOT history provided covers December 2023, December 2024, and December 2025, showing annual tests but no record of intermediate mileage to confirm whether the car has been used steadily or has spent extended periods off the road. Three consecutive winter test dates, all in early December, suggests the vehicle may be SORN-registered for much of the year, as regular commuters would normally accumulate mileage between tests and present readings that rise across successive certificates. Low annual mileage reduces wear on high-cycle items such as the clutch, gearbox and engine internals, but it does not arrest corrosion of ferrous components, nor does it prevent rubber items, brake hoses, ball joints, and flexible suspension bushes from perishing through age rather than use. Given the underbody advisories already recorded, the mileage figure should not be interpreted as reassurance about structural condition. A prospective buyer should examine the underbody of this Fusion on a ramp or with a torch before committing, paying particular attention to the offside rear brake pipe that has been flagged three years running. Surface corrosion that has been masked with grease may be concealing deeper wall loss, and the pipe should be scraped lightly to assess how much solid steel remains; replacement sections and a re-bore are likely if the corrosion is advanced. The lower integral body structure advisory from 2023 also warrants a thorough check of the sills, jacking points, and any boxed sections for bubbling paint, flaking metal, or perforation, with attention to whether rigidity has deteriorated since that assessment. On test drive, listen for clonks or knocks from the front suspension over uneven roads, which would indicate progression of the slight play already noted in the nearside front track rod end ball joint, and check for uneven tyre wear on the nearside front as a tell-tale sign. The offside front brake should also be evaluated for a binding or dragging sensation, as the 2024 advisory noted excessive binding, which often manifests as the vehicle pulling slightly to one side under light braking, uneven pad wear, or a hot wheel after a sustained stop. Finally, the persistent oil leak recorded across every test should not be dismissed as cosmetic. The source should be traced by a mechanic, with particular attention to the cam cover gasket, sump plug, and any oil cooler lines, as a slow leak left unresolved can accelerate contamination of the underbody and mask further corrosion. The major exhaust leak that caused a failure in December 2024 was rectified before the pass the following day, but the surrounding mounting rubbers and downstream sections should be inspected for signs of renewed blowing, particularly on cold start when ticking noises from the exhaust manifold area become most audible. The slightly distorted nearside rear road wheel noted on the latest test can cause vibration through the car at speed and uneven tyre wear, so the wheel should be inspected for cracks and the tyres checked for inner-edge feathering. Taken together, the MOT record describes a structurally ageing, lightly used Ford Fusion with an established pattern of brake pipe corrosion, underbody oxidation, and minor wear items that any responsible inspection must investigate in person rather than rely on the paperwork alone.