2012 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · LL12 GCV

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance trend indicates a pattern of reactive rather than proactive care. While the most recent test in July 2025 at 148,841 miles passed, it followed a failure just one mile prior involving multiple electrical faults and a mechanical suspension defect. The presence of a nearside track rod end with excessive play in the 2025 failure suggests that steering components are only addressed once they reach a safety threshold, rather than during routine servicing. At 148,841 miles over 14 years, the Fiesta has averaged approximately 10,600 miles per year, which aligns with typical UK usage for a small motor car. The data shows consistent annual mileage, with roughly 13,000 miles covered between July 2023 and July 2024, and nearly 16,000 miles recorded in the following twelve-month period. This steady rate of accumulation confirms the car is used regularly, which typically places consistent wear and tear on rubber components and structural metal. A prospective buyer must pay close attention to the structural integrity of the vehicle, specifically regarding the seat belt anchorages. The 2024 records highlight a significant reduction in strength on the offside rear seat belt anchorage due to corrosion, which is a serious safety concern. Although the vehicle passed the following year, the recurring mention of underbody corrosion suggests the chassis is susceptible to rust damage. A thorough physical inspection of the sills and floor pans is essential to ensure the corrosion has not progressed beyond economical repair. The suspension also requires scrutiny due to the documented history of play in the ball joints. The tester flagged an offside front lower suspension arm ball joint in 2024 and a nearside track rod end in 2025. These issues are followed by an advisory for front tyres worn unevenly on the edges, which often stems from poor wheel alignment or worn suspension bushes. The buyer should check for any knocking noises over uneven surfaces and verify that the recent repairs to the steering geometry have fully resolved the underlying issues.