2007 Ford Fiesta 1.4L Petrol · GX57 LBO

This 2007 Ford Fiesta presents a mixed maintenance picture. The most recent MOT, conducted on 19 May 2025 at 104,512 miles, passed, but only after a failure five days earlier on 14 May 2025 at the identical recorded mileage. That failure flagged serious structural corrosion on both rear sills and the offside inner wheel arch, described as significantly reducing structural strength. The subsequent pass indicates these areas were repaired or re-tested, yet the underlying pattern of corrosion advisories on Macpherson strut mountings and a corroded rear brake pipe suggests ongoing exposure to moisture and salt without comprehensive rust proofing. The trend is not cleanly improving; it shows a vehicle that has had serious structural issues addressed reactively rather than proactively. The mileage profile is notably low for a 19-year-old vehicle, averaging roughly 5,501 miles per year. Between the March 2022 test at 84,152 miles and the April 2023 test at 91,194 miles, the car covered 7,042 miles in just over twelve months. From April 2023 to April 2024, it added 9,182 miles, reaching 100,376 miles. However, the recorded mileage then flatlined entirely, showing 104,512 miles in both May 2025 tests with no intervening accumulation visible in the record. This plateau raises the possibility of a replacement instrument cluster, a period of non-use, or a discrepancy that demands a physical odometer inspection and a check for any service records corroborating the claimed mileage. A buyer should focus their physical inspection on the rear subframe mounting points, sills, and inner wheel arches, where the tester identified excessive corrosion reducing structural strength. Verify that any repairs are not merely cosmetic filler over compromised metal. The front suspension requires close scrutiny: both Macpherson strut top mountings are corroded, the front lower ball joint dust covers are severely deteriorated, and the anti-roll bar linkage dust covers are in similar condition, all of which accelerate joint wear and can cause knocking or unpredictable handling. The front brake discs are worn and the pads are wearing thin, indicating the braking system is near the end of its service interval. The offside rear brake pipe remains flagged as corroded and obscured by grease, which warrants a thorough inspection of the entire brake line run for pitting and weeping. Beyond the structural and suspension concerns, several smaller faults recur without resolution. Both front road wheels are slightly distorted, the rear exhaust is corroded, the front bumper is not fully secure, and the rear wiper blade is split. The nearside front tyre has repeatedly worn to the legal limit and on its edge, suggesting possible tracking misalignment or a worn suspension component inducing uneven loading. These are not individually catastrophic, but their persistence across multiple tests points to an owner who addressed only the minimum to pass each annual inspection rather than maintaining the vehicle to a consistent standard. A full underbody inspection, four-wheel alignment check, and brake system overhaul should be considered essential before purchase.