2006 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · AV06 ENN

A twenty-year-old Ford Fiesta with this mileage profile presents a mixed mechanical picture, with the recorded test history showing both recurring advisories and several outright failures over recent years. The most recent test on 4 December 2024 was a pass with no defects recorded, but this clean result sits against a backdrop of more turbulent earlier outcomes. In 2023 the vehicle failed initially due to an incorrectly fitted offside front tyre before passing the same day; in 2022 it failed on an excessively corroded offside rear brake pipe to flexi, and in both 2020 and 2021 it failed on major items including imbalanced rear brakes, incorrect headlamp aim, an inoperative engine management lamp, and excessive wear on the nearside rear axle swivel pin and bush. The advisory trail through 2020 to 2023 also shows ongoing concerns: front brake disc wear, exhaust leakage, brake pipe corrosion, suspension mounting corrosion on both rear axle mounts, rear beam bushes, a slightly distorted nearside front wheel, and a non-functioning offside front seat tilt. Taken together, the record indicates a vehicle that has required repeated attention to its braking system, underbody components, and lighting, even though the latest pass represents a settled outcome. At roughly 5,679 miles per year averaged across the vehicle's life, the recorded mileage of 113,583 is notably low for a car of this age. The test dates themselves suggest the vehicle has been used consistently rather than laid up for long spells, with annual tests in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2024, although the gap between November 2021 and December 2022 may reflect a period off the road following the 2021 failure items. Low annual mileage of this nature tends to reduce wear on major drivetrain components such as the clutch and engine internals, but it can accelerate corrosion on brake discs, brake pipes, underbody seams, and sill structures because short journeys do not give components time to dry and warm through fully. This is consistent with the corrosion-related advisories seen on the brake pipes, suspension mount prescribed areas, and the offside rear outer sill. Standing periods can also encourage oil and coolant seal drying, which aligns with the 2020 advisories for oil leak and coolant leak. For a prospective buyer, the brake system is the single area demanding the closest inspection given the pattern of failures and advisories. The offside rear brake pipe has previously been recorded as excessively corroded at the flexi joint, and the offside front brake pipe was noted as corroded and coated in grease on more than one occasion, which can mask active corrosion rather than resolve it. On a test drive, listen for any metallic scraping or grinding from the front discs, which were flagged as pitted or scored, and check for brake pedal judder or pulling to one side under firm stops, as these would indicate the discs have worn beyond their skim allowance. Inspect the offside rear sill visually for bubbling, flaking, or repair patches, and check the brake pipe runs along the underbody and rear axle for green or white corrosion deposits, paying particular attention to the flexible sections at the rear axle where the 2022 failure originated. Any signs of fresh fluid, dampness, or recent repainting on these areas may indicate remedial work that should be professionally verified. Suspension and steering components are the other priority area, particularly given the 2021 major failure on the nearside rear axle swivel pin and bush and the recurring advisories on both rear axle suspension mounting prescribed areas and the rear beam bushes. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the rear axle over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and feel for any vagueness or delay in the steering response, particularly over crests. Push the vehicle side-to-side at each rear corner by hand if possible to detect free play in the bushes, which on a Fiesta of this age commonly manifests as a slightly unsettled rear end and tramlining over road imperfections. Also verify that the headlamp aim on both sides is correctly set, as adjusters were flagged as not working in 2020, and confirm that the engine management lamp extinguishes promptly at ignition and that the windscreen washer delivers a full, even spray. Finally, check the coolant and engine oil areas for fresh staining or weeping, as the 2020 advisories for oil and coolant leaks could indicate ageing seals that may now require attention.