2007 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · FH07 GDK

This Fiesta's MOT narrative is dominated by deteriorating front suspension components and accumulating corrosion-related advisories, with the most recent test on 18 August 2025 recording a pass accompanied by a serious shock absorber fluid leak that had been flagged as a major failure only two days earlier, alongside deteriorating ball joint dust covers on both sides. Across the five recorded tests since 2023, the vehicle has accumulated advisories for rear tyre damage and perishing, a minor exhaust gas leak, a corroded offside rear brake pipe, and a twisted offside front brake hose, suggesting an older car whose consumable and structural components are progressively requiring attention. The single advisory-free pass in August 2023 stands as something of an outlier in an otherwise increasingly populated defect record, and the trajectory from a clean test to two advisories and two minors, then to a major failure and a pass with four advisories, indicates a vehicle in a measurable phase of mechanical decline rather than stable roadworthiness. Recorded mileage stands at 142,668 miles over a 19-year vehicle life, equating to roughly 7,500 miles annually, which sits broadly in line with typical usage for a small Ford of this vintage. The MOT interval pattern shows tests clustered in mid-to-late August across 2023, 2024, and 2025, with no significant gaps in the testing record that would suggest extended periods off the road. At this mileage bracket, wear-related deterioration of rubber boots, flexible brake hoses, and exhaust joints is expected, and the recorded defects align with that age and mileage profile rather than suggesting any unusual usage pattern. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the front suspension, as the record shows a serious shock absorber fluid leak on the nearside and severely deteriorated ball joint dust covers on both sides within the same test cycle. On a test drive, listen for knocking or clonking noises from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, particularly over speed humps and rough tarmac, and feel for vagueness in the steering response or any tendency for the front end to wallow or dive excessively under braking, all of which would suggest the dampers have lost their hydraulic function. With the car elevated, inspect the shock absorbers for fresh oil staining down the casing and check the ball joints for play by attempting to rock the wheels at nine and three o'clock while watching for movement at the joints; perished dust covers alone allow contamination ingress that accelerates wear of the joint internals. The rear brake pipe advisory from 2024 covering corrosion or contamination on the offside side warrants specific inspection, as corroded brake pipes are a common failure point on vehicles of this age and can progress to a dangerous state between tests. Examine the underbody brake pipes for surface rust, pitting, or any signs of flaking that could compromise integrity, and during the test drive check for a spongy brake pedal or any pulling to one side under firm braking, which could indicate uneven hydraulic pressure from a compromised pipe or a binding caliper. The exhaust leak advisory and the reported tyre damage should also be verified visually, looking for black soot marks around the rear exhaust joint and inspecting the rear tyres for sidewall cracking or exposed cord, while confirming that the headlamp aim and windscreen washer function defects from 2023 were properly rectified before assuming they remain resolved.