2012 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · FE12 MWF

The 2012 Ford Fiesta holds a valid MOT following the April 2026 test at 87,125 miles, though the maintenance trend appears reactive rather than preventative. The owner addressed the severe defects from the April 2025 failure, such as the fractured offside rear coil spring and excessively worn nearside front ball joint, only to pass with new advisories. The most recent test flagged slight play in the offside front suspension arm ball joint and a rear parking brake that just met its required effort. This pattern indicates the previous owner corrected immediate failures but left borderline suspension wear unaddressed, allowing the offside ball joint to degrade into play within a year of the nearside replacement. Accumulating 87,125 miles over 14 years yields a low average of roughly 6,223 miles annually. However, the recent history reveals a shift in usage. Between April 2024 at 72,982 miles and April 2025 at 80,580 miles, the car covered 7,598 miles, followed by another 6,545 miles by April 2026. This recent uptick in annual mileage contrasts sharply with the earlier low-mileage period, suggesting the vehicle transitioned from light use to a more demanding commute, accelerating wear on consumables and suspension components. A buyer must thoroughly inspect the front suspension and chassis mounts. The recurring advisories for anti-roll bar bushes in 2024 and 2025, combined with the 2026 ball joint wear, point to a front end that has taken a beating. Verify the quality of the 2025 coil spring replacement and closely examine the spring seats for corrosion, a common issue on older Fiestas. The rear parking brake operating at the minimum acceptable effort requires immediate adjustment to prevent a future failure. Pay close attention to the rear tyres. Testers flagged perishing and cracking on both rear tyres in April 2025, and the April 2026 pass did not include a tyre advisory, implying replacement. Physically check the current tyres for date codes to confirm they are relatively new and free from dry rot. Inspect the brake discs and pads, which were replaced in 2025 after being worn beyond service limits, to ensure they have not suffered premature wear or lipping under the recent high-mileage driving style. Examine the exhaust system and underbody for corrosion, as the combination of age and degrading suspension can exacerbate stress on mounting points and pipework.