2004 Ford Fiesta 1.4L Petrol · GP04 FLB

The vehicle presents a concerning history of recurring mechanical and structural issues that suggest reactive maintenance patterns. In the most recent test on January 2026 at 119,868 miles, the car passed after failing for non-functional stop lamps, an offside front tyre below the legal limit, and a minor exhaust leak. This exhaust leak has been a persistent issue since at least January 2025, indicating a lingering fault that has not been fully addressed. While the car currently holds an MOT, the frequent failures for basic items like lighting and tyres suggest the owner only performs the minimum work required to pass the test. The mileage is relatively low for a twenty-two-old Fiesta, averaging roughly 5,450 miles per year, which masks underlying structural vulnerabilities. In January 2025 at 113,175 miles, the tester identified excessive corrosion on the offside rear suspension mounting area, which significantly reduced the structural strength of the sill and inner wheel arch. This is a critical red flag for a vehicle of this age, as corrosion in load-bearing areas often progresses rapidly. The January 2024 test at 105,039 miles also highlighted an inoperative engine management light and poor exhaust emission readings, pointing to potential engine sensor or sensor issues that remain unverified. Suspension components show a clear trend of wear, with ball joint dust covers on the anti-roll bar and lower suspension arms failing repeatedly between 2023 and 2024. The repeated deterioration of these rubber boots allows ingress of grit, which accelerates the degradation of the joints despite the low annual mileage. A buyer should conduct a thorough underside inspection of the sills and wheel arches to ensure the structural corrosion noted in 2025 has not reached a point of failure, as the record indicates the vehicle is prone to significant rust.