2008 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · CV08 DFY

A chronic pattern of structural and suspension corrosion sits at the centre of this Fiesta's MOT record, with five tests captured over a five-year window revealing a progressive and persistent deterioration rather than isolated incidents. The most recent assessment on 26 March 2025 resulted in a failure driven by a nearside front lower suspension ball joint that was both excessively worn and fitted with a severely deteriorated dust cover, alongside a nearside front tyre worn close to the legal limit on its edge. This continues a sequence of advisories stretching back to 2022, when both rear coil springs and both front suspension arms were already flagged for corrosion, and a rear subframe mounting was noted as corroded but not seriously weakened. By 2023 the rear axle itself was described as rusty on the offside, and in 2024 the front subframe received its first corrosion advisory alongside multiple rear suspension component mounting advisories and an ongoing offside rear brake pipe corrosion note. The 2021 test produced a Major failure for an outer sill that was holed and corroded to the extent that structural rigidity was significantly reduced, which remains a serious concern even though the immediate area was presumably repaired at that point. The recorded mileage of 96,884 against an 18-year age equates to roughly 5,382 miles annually, which is well below typical usage for a Fiesta of this vintage and suggests either extended periods of standing or genuinely light running. The MOT records show tests at broadly annual intervals from 2020 through 2025 with no significant gaps, indicating the vehicle has remained in regular use and on the road throughout, rather than having been laid up for multi-year stretches that would raise battery or brake seizure concerns. Low annual mileage does reduce wear on major drivetrain components, but it does nothing to halt the oxidative corrosion that has dominated the advisories, and in some respects extended short journeys combined with infrequent use can accelerate underbody corrosion through limited drying time after wet road exposure. For a prospective buyer, the underbody corrosion narrative is the single most important inspection priority. The outer sill that was holed in 2021 should be carefully examined for the quality of any repair, paying particular attention to whether the surrounding metal has been treated or continues to thin, and the same applies to the rear axle, rear subframe, front subframe, and the suspension component mounting areas repeatedly flagged on both sides. Any clonks, thuds, or shudders transmitted through the cabin over speed bumps or rough tarmac would suggest the worn nearside front ball joint condition has progressed or that the corroded coil spring and suspension arm mountings are now compromising component security. Steering response should be evaluated for any vagueness, knocking, or uneven self-centring, which can indicate play in deteriorated ball joints or worn upper shock absorber bushes. Underneath, the offside rear brake pipe grease coating noted in both 2024 and 2025 advisories should be inspected for any fresh seepage, weeping joints, or evidence of active corrosion continuing beneath the protective layer, as brake pipe failure on a corroded underbody is a serious safety risk. A test drive should also focus on brake feel and tyre behaviour given the 2025 entry. The nearside front tyre was recorded as worn close to the legal limit and on its edge, which can indicate a tracking or suspension geometry issue rather than simple wear; any steering pull to one side under braking or a tendency for the front end to tramline through corners would reinforce that concern. Brake pedal feel should be tested for firmness without sponginess, and the rear drums or discs inspected for any binding that would suggest caliper or wheel cylinder seizure given the vehicle's age. Finally, the front seat tilt mechanism flagged as inoperative on the 2025 test is a minor but useful indicator of general interior wear, and the deteriorating rear registration plate noted across multiple tests since 2020 is consistent with a car kept largely outdoors, supporting the underbody corrosion picture rather than contradicting it.