2006 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · EO06 GVM

A pattern of recurring advisories rather than outright test failures defines the mechanical history of this 2006 Ford Fiesta, with the most recent attempt on 7 November 2023 initially failing before the same day delivering a pass once rectification was carried out. The dual-recorded date is significant because it indicates that defects serious enough to fail the test were identified and resolved during the same visit, while a cluster of advisories remained on record even after the vehicle was signed off as roadworthy. Across the recorded tests from 2018 onwards, the car has only failed outright on one earlier occasion, in August 2018, when both headlamp aim readings were found to be too low. Otherwise the Fiesta has consistently passed, but a steady accumulation of advisories covering brake pipe corrosion, front shock absorber oil misting, tyre wear, oil leaks, and power steering seepage suggests a vehicle where multiple perishable components are now simultaneously entering the wear zone. With five recorded tests spanning 2018 to late 2023 and an indicated mileage of 119,750 miles on a 2006 registration, the annual mileage is low, averaging around 5,988 miles per year across the documented life of the car. Low annual mileage of this nature can be advantageous in reducing wear on high-stress items like the clutch, gearbox internals, and engine bearings, but it carries its own risks for a vehicle of this age. Standing periods encourage corrosion in brake and underbody pipework, drying and cracking of rubber suspension components such as bushes and gaiters, and moisture ingress into brake hydraulic systems. The fact that the 2023 test recorded corroded brake pipework and a shock absorber beginning to mist oil is consistent with a vehicle that has spent considerable time stationary between relatively short periods of use. The absence of recorded tests for 2017 and earlier is not unusual for a car of this vintage registered before the MOT exemption age was adjusted, with annual tests only required from the third anniversary of registration. For a prospective buyer, the most pressing area to scrutinise on this Fiesta is the brake and suspension package flagged across multiple advisories. The 2023 record notes corrosion on the offside rear brake pipe covered in grease or other material, light oil misting on the offside front shock absorber, and front tyre wear close to the legal limit on the nearside. A careful physical inspection should look for pitting, flaking rust, or any active dampness along the full length of the rear brake pipework, paying particular attention to unions and mounting clips, and a torch should be used to check the shock absorber bodies for fresh oil residue or scored chrome that would confirm the misting is progressing rather than static. On the road, listen for clonking or knocking from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, which would indicate worn top mounts, springs, or drop links, and feel for any pulling to one side under braking or excessive nose dive, both of which would point to binding calipers or weakened dampers. The 2022 test record also noted both front tyres worn low on inner and outer edges, suggesting uneven wear likely linked to tracking, worn suspension geometry, or sagging springs, and a nearside rear outer wing and bumper damage that warrants a close look for previous repair quality and any concealed corrosion beneath underseal. The 2021 advisory regarding slight seepage from the power steering pipe or hose is particularly relevant for a buyer, as these components are vulnerable to chafing against the subframe and can fail suddenly under load; a cold start should be performed with the bonnet open to listen for any whining or groaning from the power steering system, and the hoses themselves should be inspected for cracking, swelling, and dried fluid residue. Earlier advisories of a non-excessive oil leak, recorded in both 2019 and 2020, also deserve monitoring by checking the underside for fresh drips and the coolant and oil levels for any signs of gradual loss between services.