2002 Ford Fiesta 1.4L Petrol · CV02 AGZ

A twenty-four year old Ford Fiesta with this MOT profile is best understood through the lens of chronic tyre deterioration and minor oil seepage rather than any single dramatic failure. The most recent test on 15 January 2026 resulted initially in a failure for a nearside front position lamp not working, with the lamp defect corrected to allow a pass the same day. Advisories on that test noted a non-excessive oil leak, an offside front tyre worn close to the legal limit with edge wear, and both rear tyres showing perishing or cracking. The 2023 test carried identical rear tyre perishing advisories, and the 2022 test flagged a corroded offside rear brake pipe along with a severely deteriorated offside front suspension arm ball joint dust cover. With the exception of that single 2026 lamp failure, the vehicle has not recorded any dangerous, major, or minor category defects across the visible tests, and the pattern of advisories points to ageing rubber components and slow seepage rather than structural or mechanical failure. The recorded mileage of 96,100 miles over twenty-four years equates to roughly 4,000 miles annually, which is low for a vehicle of this age. Underused vehicles are not automatically better preserved, as prolonged standing can produce its own issues with seals drying out, brake calipers binding, suspension bushes stiffening, and oil seals weeping from inactivity. In this case the low annual mileage is consistent with the small number of tests recorded and the steady, modest advisories rather than heavy wear items such as worn brake pads, exhaust corrosion, or suspension component failure, all of which would typically accumulate faster on higher mileage cars. The pattern does not indicate a stored or SORN vehicle, as annual tests have continued, and the mileage progression appears consistent with light regular use. For a prospective buyer, the advisories point to several specific items worth a physical examination and a test drive. The offside rear brake pipe was flagged as corroded in 2022 and should be inspected for surface rust, flaking, or any blistering of the pipe, with attention paid during the test drive to a soft or spongy brake pedal that could indicate continued deterioration of the rear brake circuit. The offside front suspension arm ball joint dust cover was noted as severely deteriorated in 2022; listen for clonks or knocks from the front end when traversing speed bumps or potholes, and feel for vagueness or wandering in the steering, which would suggest the boot has split further and contamination has entered the joint. The oil leak, recorded as not excessive in 2026, should be checked by inspecting the underside of the engine and the area beneath the car for fresh drips, and the engine should be observed on startup for any blue smoke from the exhaust that might indicate valve stem seal oil consumption beyond what a simple gasket would explain. The repeated rear tyre perishing advisories across 2023 and 2026 confirm that the sidewalls are ageing beyond their serviceable life, and a buyer should plan for an immediate full set replacement regardless of the visible tread depth, paying particular attention to the offside front edge wear noted in 2026 which may indicate a tracking or camber issue. During the test drive, listen for any binding or grinding from the brakes on light application, as low mileage can allow rear calipers to seize, and check that the handbrake holds the vehicle firmly on an incline. Verify the operation of all position lamps, including the nearside front unit that caused the 2026 failure, and confirm that the headlamp and indicator lenses are free of moisture ingress. Given the 2022 advisories on the brake pipe and ball joint boot, it is prudent to budget for these items as near-term maintenance even if the current road feel is acceptable, as the MOT record shows these components were already at a concerning stage four years ago.