2012 Ford Mondeo 1.6L Diesel · FE12 NDK

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance trend shows a shift toward suspension component degradation. The most recent test on 25 November 2025 at 117,112 miles resulted in a failure due to corrosion on both offside and nearside rear coil springs. While these faults were rectified to secure a pass, the presence of corrosion on both sides suggests the rear suspension assembly is reaching the end of its functional life due to age and environmental exposure. The mileage pattern remains consistent with a fourteen-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 8,300 miles per year. Between November 2022 and November 2023, the car covered 21,496 miles, indicating steady use. The more recent interval of 9,180 miles recorded between December 2024 and November 2025 shows a slight increase in annual mileage. This consistent usage suggests the vehicle has not suffered from long periods of standing, which often leads to more accelerated perishishing of rubber components and metal oxidation. A buyer should conduct a thorough physical inspection of the rear suspension to ensure no further corrosion has spread beyond the springs to mounting points. The 2023 test flagged multiple tyres reaching the legal limit with signs of perishing, indicating that previous owners operated on minimal consumable replacement intervals. Furthermore, while the headlamp aim failure in 2025 was a minor adjustment, it warrants a check of the headlight mounting brackets for any play or damage that could cause recurring alignment issues. Focus specifically on the undercarriage for signs of structural rust, as the corroded springs indicate an active environment for oxidation on the chassis.