2005 Ford Fiesta 1.4L Petrol · HV55 SBZ

The August 23 2023 MOT at 85,569 miles resulted in a pass, but the record shows that the same brake pipe corrosion and rear axle swivel wear that caused a failure the previous day were still present, indicating a persistent maintenance issue rather than a clear improvement. The tester noted near‑side and off‑side front brake pipes covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c)) and slight wear on the rear axle swivel pins and bushes (5.1.2 (b) (i)), confirming that the vehicle remains mechanically sound for road use yet shows ongoing neglect of critical safety items. Mileage progression over the past three years reveals a low annual average of roughly 4,000 miles, yet the jump from 68,074 miles in July 2021 to 85,565 miles in August 2023 represents an acceleration of about 9,500 miles in 14 months, suggesting the car has been driven more intensively since early 2022. The interval from the 2021 test to the 2022 test added only 8,219 miles in 11 months, while the 2018 to 2020 period showed increments of less than 2,000 miles per year, indicating periods of limited use followed by a recent surge. A buyer should therefore inspect the condition of the front and rear brake pipes for severe corrosion, verify the integrity of the rear axle swivel pins and bushes, and examine the rear outer sills for structural rust that could compromise rigidity. The rear coil springs, which have corroded repeatedly, and the suspension bushes, showing slight wear, merit close attention. Tyre tread depth, wiper blade condition, and any signs of fluid leakage should also be checked, as these items have appeared repeatedly in earlier test outcomes.