2006 Ford Fiesta 1.4L Diesel · FP06 VUX

A pattern of corrosion and rear suspension wear dominates the roadworthiness record of this 2006 Ford Fiesta, with two of the last three tests resulting in failure and multiple structural and brake-pipe advisories appearing repeatedly. The most recent outcome on 25 October 2022 was a clean pass with no advisories, but this sits immediately after a failure on 21 October 2022 that recorded major defects on both rear axle swivel pins and bushes, a nearside rear inner brake pipe with excessive corrosion, and a major exhaust gas leak from the midpipe. Going further back, the 2020 test included a Dangerous failure for excessive corrosion on the offside rear outer sill affecting braking or steering, alongside a nearside rear brake pipe already flagged as corroded after the flexy section and slight wear noted on both rear axle swivel pin front bushes. The 2021 test added a fractured offside front coil spring to the list, suggesting that the rear axle bush wear, brake pipe corrosion, and underbody corrosion are part of a progressive pattern rather than isolated events. Against a 20-year vehicle age, the recorded 79,952 miles equates to roughly 3,998 miles annually, which is notably low and consistent with either limited use or extended periods of standing. The MOT history shows testing in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, but no recorded tests between 2012 and 2019, indicating a substantial gap during which the vehicle may have been off the road, stored, or simply untested for several years. Long standing periods on a vehicle of this age are particularly relevant to the brake pipe, exhaust, and underbody corrosion issues seen in the record, as moisture exposure, road salt accumulation, and infrequent use accelerate oxidation of ferrous components. The combination of low annual mileage and a history of corrosion-related advisories and failures is a meaningful indicator of how this particular car has been used and stored. For a prospective buyer, the rear axle swivel pins and bushes deserve close attention, as they have appeared as slight wear in 2020 and then as major defects on both sides by late 2022. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the rear suspension over speed humps, rough roads, and during sharp low-speed direction changes, and check for any lateral movement when the rear wheels are rocked by hand. The brake pipes, particularly the nearside rear inner section and the section after the rear flexy hose, should be inspected for surface rust, flaking, and any signs of seepage, as the 2020 advisory specifically noted corrosion after the flexy and a major failure was recorded on this area in 2022. Given the Dangerous classification for outer sill corrosion at the rear in 2020, a thorough inspection of both rear sills, jacking points, and the rear floor pan for bubbling paint, rust staining, or perforation is essential, ideally with the vehicle raised so the seam welds and inner structural sections can be viewed directly. The front brake discs have been flagged as worn, pitted, or scored on the inner edges in both 2020 and 2022, which on a Fiesta of this age warrants checking for brake judder under firm pedal pressure and inspecting disc runout and lip height. The fractured offside front coil spring from 2021 means a new spring has almost certainly been fitted, but neighbouring components such as the strut top mounts and nearside front spring should still be assessed for any sagging or noise. The split rear gearbox mount, first noted as a bush split advisory in 2020 and recurring in 2021, can produce a perceptible vibration or shunt on take-off and during gear changes, so any drivetrain movement when transitioning between drive and reverse is worth noting. Finally, with a 2022 exhaust major leak from the midpipe on record, the current exhaust system should be checked for blowing sounds, hanging rubbers, and heat shield security before purchase.