2008 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · CP08 TYF

A pattern of minor advisories and a couple of lighting/visibility failures define this 2008 Ford Fiesta's MOT record, suggesting a car that has generally remained roadworthy but with repeated niggling defects that a buyer should not ignore. The most recent test on 2022-12-21 passed, but it carried five advisories covering damaged inner wheel rims, an offside front CV boot showing early grease misting, both front tyres worn close to the legal limit, and a perishing nearside front lower ball joint rubber. Earlier failures in 2021 and 2018 were both trivial lighting and washer-related items (a non-functioning stop lamp and a washer bottle issue), but the 2018 failure noted significantly reduced output, and the 2021 failure listed a stop lamp not working at all, suggesting a recurring electrical gremlin around the rear lamp cluster. The overarching trend is not one of declining structural integrity or major mechanical collapse, but rather a cluster of advisories indicating that suspension joints, gaiters, and consumables are now reaching the age where deterioration is beginning to compound. With 158,050 miles recorded over 18 years, the Fiesta averages roughly 8,781 miles annually, which sits comfortably within the expected usage bracket for a vehicle of this age and class. There is a notable gap between the 2020-11-06 pass and the 2022-12-21 pass, a 25-month stretch during which no MOT was recorded, and a smaller but still significant 19-month gap between the 2019 and 2020 tests. The mileage progression between recorded tests implies usage remained broadly consistent, but the gaps could indicate periods of SORN or off-road storage, which on a 2008 Fiesta typically allows corrosion to take hold on underbody components, brake pipes, and exhaust hangers even without active mechanical wear. The cumulative mileage itself places this car firmly in high-mileage territory, meaning clutches, dual-mass flywheels (if fitted to this derivative), engine mounts, and suspension bushes have all endured substantial fatigue. For a prospective buyer, the specific advisories logged should drive a targeted physical inspection rather than a generic once-over. The 2022 advisory on the nearside front lower ball joint rubber perishing warrants a close check for any clunk or knock from the front suspension over speed humps and during full-lock低速 manoeuvres, plus a visual inspection of the joint itself for splits, grease loss, or excessive play when the wheel is levered. The offside front outer CV boot showing light grease misting should be re-examined for fresh oil contamination around the gaiter and listened for any clicking or vibration on full steering lock, which would indicate the joint is on its way out. Both front tyres being at 3mm in late 2022 means replacements are now overdue, so budget for a full set and check the sidewalls for any bulges or cracking given the vehicle's age. Wheel rim damage on the offside front should also be inspected for signs of run-out or air leaks that could indicate kerbing damage extending into the tyre bead area. The brake and underfloor condition deserves particular scrutiny on this age of Fiesta, especially given the recorded exhaust bracket corrosion noted back in 2017. Although that specific bracket was still functional, its presence six years prior suggests the exhaust system is now likely due for replacement, and a thorough check of the cat-back system, mounting rubbers, and the rear silencer for impact damage or splitting is sensible. With 158k miles behind it, the brake discs are almost certainly on their second or third set, and any judder through the pedal under braking, or a heavy or binding feel from the calipers after release, would indicate warped discs or seized slider pins. The two rear stop lamp failures in different years suggest a possible underlying wiring or earth issue at the rear lamp cluster rather than simple bulb failures, so the buyer should verify both stop lamps, the rear fog lamp, and number plate illumination all function reliably. Finally, given the long MOT gap and the car's coastal or winter road exposure unknowns, the underside, subframe, and brake lines should be examined for surface rust and any signs of perforation before commitment.