Structural corrosion and deteriorated brake hoses dominate the mechanical record of this 1989 Ford, with both failure types clustering tightly in the spring and summer of 2008 after a clean pass the previous year. The April 2008 test produced a particularly heavy failure list, citing three brake hoses across the front and rear axles as excessively deteriorated, an outer rear upper suspension mounting point as excessively corroded, and a damaged centre rear seat belt. Three months later, two further failures were recorded for prescribed area corrosion affecting the offside rear suspension mounting and both front seat belt anchorages. These failures are characteristic of a vehicle that has spent significant time exposed to the elements, with rust penetrating structurally significant zones rather than just cosmetic panels. By contrast, the 2006 and 2007 tests returned passes, though the 2007 advisory list already hinted at the deterioration that would soon tip into failure territory, noting slight brake hose deterioration at all four corners and a rear service brake whose efficiency only just met the legal threshold. The most recent entry in November 2008 returned a clean pass with no advisories, but the buyer should weigh this single clean result against the rapid escalation of defects observed just months earlier.
The recorded mileage of 1,938 miles against a 37-year vehicle age equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 52 miles, and the testing pattern reinforces the impression of a car that has been used very sparingly and likely stored for extended periods. There are notable multi-year gaps between tests, with entries only appearing from 2006 onwards and no recorded mileage progression of any consequence between tests. Vehicles that have stood largely unused for prolonged intervals face distinct mechanical risks: rubber components such as brake hoses, suspension bushes, drive belts, and tyre sidewalls deteriorate through age rather than wear, brake discs and pads can develop surface corrosion that affects pedal feel, and hydraulic systems may require a full fluid renewal. The brake hose failures recorded in 2008 align precisely with this age-related rubber degradation pattern, and any prospective purchase should assume that further hoses, cylinders, and seals installed at the factory in 1989 are now well beyond their intended service life.
A prospective buyer should approach this Ford with the assumption that the corrosion flagged in 2008 was only the beginning of a longer structural decline, given that no MOT tests have been recorded after November 2008 to confirm whether the affected seat belt anchorages and suspension mountings were properly repaired or merely patched. Close physical inspection is essential, paying particular attention to the front and rear floor pans, inner sills, subframe mounts, and the structural zones around the seat belt anchorages for any fresh corrosion, underseal bubbling, or previous repair filler. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocking from the rear suspension over uneven roads, which would suggest worn bushes or play in the corroded upper mounting points, and feel for any vagueness or wandering from the steering that could indicate compromised front suspension geometry. Brake pedal feel warrants particular attention; a spongy pedal, excessive travel, or any pulling to one side under heavy braking could indicate perished internal brake seals or a caliper that has seized during storage and may not be releasing correctly.
Given the very low mileage and confirmed extended periods of inactivity, the buyer should also budget for a thorough recommissioning regardless of how the car presents cosmetically. Expect to replace all four brake hoses as a matter of course along with a full brake fluid flush, and inspect the brake discs for severe pitting or lipping that would necessitate machining or replacement rather than just pad renewal. Tyres manufactured before 2010 should be considered unsafe for road use regardless of tread depth, as the rubber compound will have hardened and cracked, and a full set of new tyres, a fresh battery, new drive belts, a coolant system drain and refill, and fresh engine oil with a new filter are all reasonable recommissioning items. The combination of confirmed structural corrosion failures and a mileage profile consistent with long-term storage means this vehicle should be inspected on a ramp by a specialist familiar with classic Fords before any purchase commitment is made.