2002 Ford Fiesta 1.3L Petrol · AR51 OTS

The vehicle presents a concerning roadworthiness profile characterized by a trend of structural degradation and mechanical neglect. While it passed its last test in February 2022 at 123,799 miles, this followed a significant failure just eight days prior. The initial failure revealed excessive corrosion on the nearside rear suspension component mounting, which significantly reduced structural strength. Although the subsequent pass noted that the corrosion was no longer considered excessive, the presence of deep rust on the sills and mounting points indicates the vehicle is reaching a stage where structural integrity is a primary concern. At 24 years old, the recorded mileage of 123,799 miles represents a low average of approximately 5,158 miles per year. However, the data shows a significant gap in testing history, with no recorded MOT between February 2022 and the current date in June 2026. This four-year lapse in official certification is critical, especially for a vehicle of this age with a history of corrosion issues. The low mileage suggests the car may have sat for long periods, which often accelerates atmospheric corrosion on metal surfaces and the degradation of rubber components. A buyer must conduct a rigorous physical inspection of the underbody, specifically focusing on the sills and rear sub-frame. The history shows recurring issues with worn suspension arm bushes and anti-roll bar joints, which appeared consistently between 2020 and 2022. The offside front brake pipe was flagged as corroded and covered in grease in 2022, a common tactic to hide further decay. Given the previous engine misfire and high emissions recorded in 2020, the engine's health should also be verified to ensure the fuel system issues have not deteriorated during the recent period of lapsed MOT testing.