2013 Ford Fiesta 1.0L Petrol · AF63 UAR

A developing pattern of front brake, brake pipe, and rear suspension advisories has emerged over the recorded MOT history of this 2013 Ford Fiesta, suggesting that while the car continues to pass its annual roadworthiness test, several key wear and corrosion items are becoming progressively more prominent. The most recent pass on 23 March 2026 was accompanied by a front brake pad advisory noting thin friction material on both sides, following on from the 2025 test which recorded corroded front brake pipes on both sides and play in the offside steering rack inner joint. The 2024 pass added rear outer suspension arm bushes, rear coil spring corrosion on the lower coils, and a deteriorated rear number plate. With no advisories between 2019 and 2023 apart from a 2022 set of tyre deterioration notes and a 2019 inner-edge front tyre wear advisory, the trajectory is one of accumulating component attention at each annual test, particularly concentrated around the front braking circuit and the rear suspension. There have been no recorded failures across eight tests, but the density and recurrence of advisories warrant careful inspection before purchase. The recorded mileage of 49,829 miles across approximately thirteen years equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 3,800 miles, which is notably low for the vehicle's age. The mileage progression between tests is broadly consistent and relatively even, with no sudden jumps or extended standing periods evident in the data, although the overall figure suggests the car has seen lighter than typical use. While low annual mileage reduces wear on major drivetrain and clutch components, it can accelerate certain age-related degradation issues, particularly corrosion to underbody components such as brake lines, coil springs, and suspension mounting areas, all of which have appeared as advisories on this vehicle. The combination of low use and repeated corrosion-related advisories on exposed underbody parts is a typical presentation for a Fiesta of this generation and age that has accrued road salt and surface contamination without the regular driving cycles that would otherwise help to keep components clean and dry. For a prospective buyer, the front braking system should be the primary focus of any inspection. With both front pads currently flagged as wearing thin, they are likely to require replacement imminently, and the 2025 advisory of corroded brake pipes covered in grease on both front sides indicates that the steel brake lines running along the front underbody are suffering from external surface corrosion. It is important to inspect these pipes closely for any pitting, flaking, or weeping of brake fluid, particularly at the unions and bends, as heavily corroded brake lines can eventually require replacement rather than simply cleaning. The offside steering rack inner joint play recorded in 2025 is also worth re-examining by turning the wheel lock to lock with the engine running to feel for any knocking or slack, and listening for any clonking over uneven surfaces which would suggest the joint has deteriorated further. On a test drive, the car should be driven over speed humps and rough roads with the windows down to listen for any knocking or rattling from the rear suspension, as the worn rear outer arm axle mounting bushes and corroded rear coil springs flagged in 2024 may have progressed. The 2022 advisories relating to perished and splitting tyres are also a reminder to check the current set of tyres carefully for sidewall cracking or tread separation, as older tyres on a low-mileage car can deteriorate through age rather than wear. Given the recurring nature of the brake pipe, brake pad, and rear suspension advisories across consecutive tests, a buyer should budget for foreseeable maintenance including replacement front brake pads and discs if needed, possible brake pipe sections if corrosion is advanced, and inspection or replacement of the rear suspension bushes and coil springs if knocking or ride quality issues are present. A thorough pre-purchase inspection with the vehicle raised on a ramp would be strongly advised to assess the full extent of underbody corrosion, particularly to the brake lines, rear coil springs, and any subframe or axle mounting points, as the advisories recorded so far represent the earliest stages of deterioration that typically worsen with further age and mileage.