2008 Ford Fiesta 1.6L Diesel · GF08 OPG

The 2008 Ford Fiesta passed its most recent MOT on 14 February 2026 at 137,514 miles, but the record reveals a maintenance pattern that is stable at best and complacent at worst. The vehicle has never failed a test outright, yet the advisory list has remained stubbornly consistent across multiple cycles. The February 2026 test flagged an inoperative offside rear registration plate lamp, a deteriorated rear plate, both direction indicators flashing excessively fast, and an offside front suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated. These are not catastrophic defects, but the ball joint cover deterioration is a recurring theme that points to deferred underbody attention rather than proactive servicing. The mileage progression tells a story of steady, unremarkable use. From 102,297 miles in October 2021 to 115,647 miles in October 2022, the car covered roughly 13,350 miles in twelve months. It then slowed to around 11,800 miles over the following fourteen months to February 2024, before climbing to 128,477 miles by February 2025 and reaching 137,514 miles by February 2026, a jump of over 9,000 miles in the most recent year. The annual average sits close to 7,600 miles, which is typical for a small hatchback of this age, and there are no alarming gaps or sudden spikes that suggest long-term standing or clocking concerns. A buyer should focus their physical inspection on the front suspension and underbody condition. The offside front lower suspension arm ball joint dust cover has appeared as severely deteriorated in both the October 2022 and February 2026 tests, meaning the joint itself has likely been exposed to road salt and moisture for at least four years. Once the dust cover fails, the joint loses lubrication and accelerates wear, which can lead to knocking, vague steering, and eventual failure. The front exhaust also showed a minor gas leak in February 2025, and the nearside rear wheel bearing was flagged as slightly noisy in the same test. Exhaust leaks on a vehicle of this age often signal corrosion in the system, particularly around flexi-pipes and flange joints, while a noisy rear bearing can worsen without warning. Tyre condition has been a recurring advisory item, with both front tyres repeatedly noted as worn close to the legal limit or perished on the edges in October 2022 and February 2024. This suggests the previous owner treated tyres as a last-minute replacement item rather than maintaining them proactively. The direction indicators flashing too fast on both sides in February 2026 typically indicates failing bulbs or an incompatible relay, a minor electrical issue but one that hints at a general approach of addressing faults only when legally required. Overall, the car appears mechanically sound enough to pass annual testing, but the pattern of repeated advisories without evident repair suggests a buyer should budget for suspension joint replacement, a thorough exhaust inspection, and a careful check of the rear wheel bearing before committing.