2003 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · EA53 AFZ

The 2003 Ford Fiesta passed its most recent MOT on 2023-11-22 at 105,367 miles, but the maintenance trend is inconsistent rather than consistently improving. The vehicle failed its previous test on the same date due to a defective central rear seat belt retracting mechanism, a split nearside drive shaft constant velocity boot, and a fluid leak, then passed after rectification with only minor advisories remaining. Recurring faults across multiple cycles—specifically the nearside front drive shaft constant velocity boot deteriorating from severely deteriorated in December 2022 to split or insecure in November 2023, and a persistent fluid leak linked to the coolant header tank—indicate that some defects were addressed only temporarily or that chronic wear items were not fully resolved. The suspension sub-frame bushes showed excessive wear in December 2022 but were absent from the November 2023 report, suggesting either repair or a testing omission. The recorded mileage reflects steady, low annual usage of roughly 3,000 to 7,000 miles, consistent with the vehicle's age of twenty-three years and a cumulative total of 105,367 miles. Annual readings between 2015 and 2023 show no prolonged gaps or sudden mileage spikes, with the odometer advancing from 66,789 miles in April 2015 to 105,367 miles in November 2023 in a predictable fashion. This pattern points toward light, intermittent use rather than heavy commuting, which reduces wear on high-mileage components but may increase risks from long periods of standing, such as fluid degradation and rubber seal perishing. A buyer should prioritise inspection of the nearside front drive shaft constant velocity joint, given the boot split recorded in the November 2023 failure and the severe deterioration noted twelve months earlier, as ingress of dirt will accelerate joint wear. The braking system warrants close scrutiny because the vehicle failed twice in late 2022 due to excessively corroded brake pipes on all four corners, and the 2019 and 2020 records also flagged corroded front and rear brake pipes, indicating a pattern of moisture-related degradation that may persist beneath the underbody. The rear central seat belt retracting mechanism failed in November 2023 and should be tested for proper function, while the recurring nearside front wheel distortion suggests possible curb damage or suspension geometry issues that demand a visual check of the steering and suspension mounts. The coolant header tank fluid leak flagged in both November 2023 entries requires identification of the source, and the overall history of structural corrosion on brake pipes and suspension components means the underbody and sills should be examined for hidden rust.