2004 Ford Fiesta 1.4L Petrol · LR04 UNM

A persistent pattern of front axle and tyre deterioration defines this Fiesta's MOT record, with the nearside front outer drive shaft CV boot emerging as the single most recurring defect across the testing cycle. The boot was flagged as split or insecure on the failed presentations of 2024 and 2025, then recorded as severely deteriorated on the most recent pass dated 26 August 2026, indicating that the component has been compromised on at least three separate occasions and may have been repeatedly repaired rather than fully replaced. The 2026 test also recorded both front brake discs as worn, mirroring advisories from 2023 when both front discs were noted as pitted or scored, which points to progressive surface wear on the braking system rather than an isolated event. Tyre condition has likewise been a recurring theme, with cracking and perishing flagged on the nearside rear in 2022, 2023 and again on both rear tyres in 2026, suggesting that ageing rubber rather than active wear is the primary concern on this vehicle. With 26,963 miles recorded over approximately 22 years, the annual accumulation rate of around 1,226 miles is exceptionally low and raises questions about how the vehicle has actually been used. Such limited mileage typically results from extended periods of standing rather than regular driving, which has direct mechanical consequences including accelerated deterioration of rubber components such as the CV boots and tyres already documented in the MOT record, premature ageing of brake discs through surface corrosion, and potential degradation of fluid systems and bearings due to infrequent circulation. The MOT history itself shows annual testing from 2022 onwards with no significant gaps, confirming that the car has been presented for examination regularly even if the mileage between tests has remained modest, so the visible defects are more consistent with age-related rubber and sealing failure than with high-mileage wear. A prospective buyer should treat the CV boot as a priority inspection item and physically examine both front inner and outer boots for fresh grease deposits, splits or perished rubber, as the repeated flagging suggests the gaiter may not have been replaced with a proper CV joint re-greasing kit. On a test drive, listen for any clicking or knocking from the front wheels during full-lock turns at walking pace, which would indicate that contamination has already reached the constant velocity joint internals. The brake pedal should be checked for judder or vibration under firm application, as the recurring front disc wear advisories suggest the discs may be approaching a thickness threshold, and the car should be driven over uneven road surfaces to detect any knocking from worn suspension bushes or top mounts that have hardened with age. The rear exhaust silencer advisory from 2023 warrants a physical check beneath the car for any hissing or soot deposits around the box and pipe joins, particularly when the engine is under load, while the headlamp aim failures from the same year suggest the lamp adjustment mechanism should be verified before any night driving. The cracked rear tyres noted repeatedly since 2022 should be replaced regardless of remaining tread depth, as sidewall perishing on a 195/50/15 tyre of 2019 manufacture will compromise roadholding in wet conditions. Finally, given the long-term low mileage, it is worth confirming that the cooling system, brake fluid and any anti-corrosion treatments have been refreshed within the last two to three years, as these are the items most likely to have degraded silently during extended periods of light use.