2014 Ford Fiesta 1.5L Diesel · EX64 VTC

A pattern of progressive structural corrosion and recurring under-bonnet wear advisories dominates the recorded MOT history of this 2014 Ford Fiesta, with the most recent test on 7 August 2026 passing but flagging five separate items. Subframe corrosion has now been recorded at three consecutive tests (2024, 2025, and 2026), and the latest assessment escalates this to the subframe itself rather than mounting points, suggesting the oxidation is advancing into areas that are fundamental to suspension geometry and crash structure. The rear axle swivel pin and bush wear advisory has likewise repeated across two consecutive years, pointing to a degrading rear suspension beam rather than an isolated observation. Under-bonnet fluid maintenance also warrants caution, as the brake hydraulic reservoir was noted close to the minimum mark in 2024, indicating either a slow leak or deferred fluid changes that should be physically inspected for fluid level and seal condition. With 68,130 miles recorded over roughly twelve years, annual accumulation sits at around 5,600 miles, which is low and consistent with either light weekend running or extended periods of standing. Testing intervals are regular and annual, with no multi-year gaps that would suggest the vehicle was off-road or laid up, so corrosion progression reflects steady exposure rather than abandonment. Low annual mileage tends to preserve engine and gearbox internals but accelerates external corrosion on subframes, brake ferrules, and exhaust skin panels, exactly the pattern observed here. Tyre inner-edge wear has appeared at three separate tests across both front wheels, which is unusual for such modest mileage and suggests either sustained cornering on poorly cambered roads or front wheel alignment drift that has not been corrected. The front brake system shows clear evidence of cumulative neglect, with worn brake pads and pitted/scored front discs flagged in 2024, followed by a 2025 Major failure for a front brake disc significantly and obviously worn, and a 2026 advisory for front brake hose ferrule corrosion. On a test drive, listen for any scraping or grinding from the front calipers, feel for pedal pulsation under firm braking indicative of disc run-out, and check that the front discs have measurable material remaining above the minimum thickness. The rear exhaust has split at the back box in 2026 after outer skin corrosion was noted in 2023 and 2024, so expect either a replacement rear silencer section or full exhaust back box to be required imminently, and listen for any exhaust blowing on the over-run or a change in engine note under acceleration. The seat belt webbing damage has been recorded across three tests, culminating in a 2025 Major failure for cut or reworked webbing, meaning the nearside front belt was actively replaced to achieve the subsequent pass. Verify the replacement belt carries an E-mark and that the retractor locks with a sharp pull. The 2025 emissions failure for exceeding the manufacturer's specified CO or lambda limit should prompt a cold-start inspection for smoke, rough idle, or an illuminated engine management light, alongside checks of the catalytic converter heatshield, which was also flagged as missing on that date. Finally, inspect the subframe visually with a torch for flaking or holed metal around the engine mounting points and lower control arm bushes, bounce each front corner by hand to detect excess play in the swivel pin assembly, and rotate the front nearside tyre to confirm whether the inner-edge wear pattern has been corrected since the 2026 advisory was issued.