2006 Ford Fusion 1.6L Diesel · CE06 UBD

The mechanical profile of this 2006 Ford Fusion is dominated by an emerging rear suspension and braking corrosion issue, compounded by a structural concern that was serious enough to cause an MOT failure. On 14 April 2026 the vehicle passed its test, but it carries five advisories, including corroded rear suspension component mountings on both sides and corroded rear brake pipes on both sides, alongside a noted engine oil leak. More tellingly, the picture has worsened over time: in April 2025 the vehicle failed on a fractured offside rear coil spring and an excessively corroded offside rear suspension mounting area within the inner sill that was deemed to significantly reduce structural strength. While the car was subsequently presented in a passable state twelve days later, the recurrence of corrosion advisories on the same rear components a year later suggests the rust issue is progressive rather than resolved, and the structural inner sill corrosion flagged in 2025 warrants close physical inspection to confirm any remedial welding has held. With a recorded mileage of 99,614 miles across approximately twenty years, the vehicle has accumulated an average of around 4,980 miles per year, which is notably low for its age. Such restrained annual usage can reduce wear on major drivetrain components but also tends to expose a car to the effects of long standing periods, particularly cold starts, infrequent brake use, and moisture retention in underbody cavities. The MOT record shows relatively consistent annual testing with no multi-year gaps, indicating the vehicle has remained in regular use rather than being laid up for extended storage. The combination of low mileage, consistent testing, and a twenty-year-old platform means the wear evident in the records is more likely attributable to age-related material degradation, particularly ferrous corrosion, than to high-mileage mechanical fatigue. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the rear underbody and inner sill areas, as the 2025 failure cited significant corrosion reducing structural strength in that region. On inspection, look for any fresh underseal, fresh weld seams, or patches of body filler around the rear inner sills, offside rear strut tower, and rear suspension mounting points, as these may indicate previous repair work. Tap the metalwork gently with a screwdriver handle to detect soft or paper-thin areas, and check the boot floor and rear wheel arches for bubbling paint or surface rust bleed-through. The fractured offside rear coil spring failure should prompt a check of the nearside rear spring as well, as springs of similar age and mileage commonly fail in pairs; listen for any clonking or knocking from the rear over uneven roads, and inspect the rear spring seats for cracking where the spring locates. The recurring brake pipe corrosion on both rear circuits, combined with the front brake disc pitting advisories, indicates the braking system is now due for refurbishment. On a test drive, listen for any scraping or grinding from the front brakes, feel for judder through the steering wheel under firm braking which would confirm the pitted discs are within working limits, and check that the car pulls up straight without veering to either side, which could indicate a binding caliper consistent with the offside front binding advisory noted in 2024. The engine oil leak, while currently rated as not excessive, should be monitored by checking the underbonnet for fresh oil residue around the cam cover or sump gasket and the ground beneath the car after parking. Finally, given the low annual mileage, allow extra time for a cold start to ensure the engine fires promptly and idles smoothly, and check that all warning lamps extinguish, as an infrequently used twenty-year-old vehicle can mask emerging sensor or battery issues not visible in the MOT record.