2003 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · LB03 YFF

The 2003 Ford Fiesta presents a broadly stable but ageing maintenance profile, passing its most recent MOT on 30 December 2025 at 109,511 miles with only minor advisories. The trend is neither sharply worsening nor clearly improving. Recurring advisories around deteriorated registration plates and perishing front tyres appear across multiple years, suggesting cosmetic neglect rather than mechanical failure. The December 2025 test flagged a severely deteriorated nearside front constant velocity boot, a notable escalation from prior years that demands immediate attention to avoid joint contamination and costly drivetrain repair. The recorded mileage of 109,511 miles over approximately 23 years averages roughly 4,761 miles per year, which is low for a vehicle of this age. The MOT record shows a gap of nearly two years between the December 2023 test at 105,418 miles and the December 2024 test at 107,054 miles, indicating only 1,636 miles of use in that period. A further 2,457 miles were covered between December 2024 and December 2025. This pattern points to light, sporadic use with possible extended periods of standing, which itself can accelerate rubber component perishing, tyre flat-spotting, and brake surface corrosion. Buyers should inspect the front suspension and drivetrain carefully. The December 2024 failure revealed deteriorated dust covers on the offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint and both lower suspension arm ball joints, all of which were flagged as no longer preventing dirt ingress. Although the December 2025 test did not re-flag these items, the underlying vulnerability to contamination and premature joint wear remains a concern on a vehicle of this age. The severely deteriorated nearside front CV boot noted in the latest test is a clear indicator that drivetrain components have not been proactively maintained. A physical inspection should verify whether the joint itself has been replaced or whether it is now running with potential play and grease loss. Tyre condition warrants close scrutiny as well. Advisories for worn and perishing front tyres appear in 2023, 2024, and 2025, suggesting the previous owner deferred basic consumable replacement. The registration plate deterioration, while minor, reinforces a pattern of cosmetic inattention. Given the low annual mileage and long periods of limited use, a thorough underbody inspection for structural corrosion, brake condition, and fluid condition is advisable before purchase.