2004 Ford Fusion 1.4L Petrol · AF04 TWV

The vehicle is currently roadworthy but the maintenance trend shows a shift toward developing age-related degradation. While it passed its latest test in June 2024 at 79,920 miles, the tester identified a minor exhaust leak and corrosion on both the offside and nearside rear brake pipes. These issues represent a departure from the clean records seen in previous years, suggesting that components affected by age are beginning to fail despite the low annual mileage. The mileage patterns indicate light use for a 22-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 3,600 miles per year. There is a notable gap in records between February 2021 and April 2022, where the car covered only 4,013 miles in fourteen months. This low usage often leads to the drying of rubber components and internal pipe corrosion, which aligns with the recently noted brake pipe issues. The 2022 failure for thin brake pads and a faulty wiper indicates that basic consumable maintenance was reactive rather than proactive intervals. A physical inspection must focus on the rear brake system and the exhaust assembly. The corrosion noted on the brake pipes in 2024 was partially masked by grease, which often indicates an attempt to hide surface rust rather than replacing the lines. A buyer should check for structural thinning of these metal pipes and ensure the exhaust leak has not worsened. Additionally, the 2022 failure regarding lambda readings suggests the oxygen sensor or catalytic converter may be losing efficiency, which warrants monitoring of fuel economy and future emission failures.