2006 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · LR06 OFD

Two advisories have surfaced in the most recent MOT on 17 July 2026 after four consecutive clean tests between 2023 and 2025, drawing attention back onto the suspension and braking hardware on this 2006 Ford Fiesta. The nearside front coil spring is recorded as corroded, which on a twenty-year-old vehicle is consistent with progressive surface oxidation that can ultimately compromise spring integrity and ride height. The second advisory flags the nearside rear brake pipe as corroded where it runs past the fuel tank, a location where road grime, moisture and underbody contamination tend to accelerate external corrosion of the unprotected steel pipe. Although neither item caused the test to fail, both are areas that warrant close physical inspection, and they represent the first meaningful mechanical advisories since an exhaust leak noted in 2021 and tyre perishing recorded in 2022. With 71,630 miles recorded over roughly twenty years, the Fiesta has covered around 3,580 miles annually, a notably low accumulation rate for a vehicle of this age. There are no extended gaps in the MOT history, with annual tests recorded continuously from 2019 through 2026, so there is no evidence of multi-year lay-up that might raise concerns about seized brakes, perished rubber or a discharged battery. That said, low annual mileage combined with a vehicle now two decades old means consumables such as brake hoses, coolant, brake fluid and rubber bushes will still age harden and degrade regardless of distance covered. The mileage spread across the eight recorded tests is relatively even, suggesting steady rather than sporadic use, but the underlying mechanical components are still subject to time-related deterioration rather than purely wear-related wear. For a prospective buyer, the priority items on inspection are the front suspension and the rear underbody brake line. The nearside front coil spring should be visually checked for signs of advanced corrosion, pitting, or any cracking of the spring coils, and the test drive should be carried out over uneven road surfaces and speed bumps to listen for clonking or knocking that would indicate a fractured spring or deteriorated top mount. The nearside rear brake pipe near the fuel tank should be examined with a torch for any surface blistering, flaking rust or thinning of the steel, and the brake pedal should feel firm and progressive with no sponginess or excessive travel that could indicate pipe deterioration. Both rear wheels should also be lifted or inspected for binding, given the proximity of the corroded pipe to the rear brake hardware. The remaining advisories from earlier tests provide additional context worth checking. The 2021 exhaust back box leak may have been resolved, but the rear silencer and tailpipe should still be listened to at idle for any ticking, hissing or change in exhaust note that suggests renewed leakage. The 2022 advisories for perishing on both rear tyres and the 2020 advisory for a cut in the offside rear tyre point to ageing rubber; the current set of tyres should therefore be inspected for cracking in the sidewalls and tread grooves regardless of remaining tread depth, and replacement budget considered if the sidewalls show ozone cracking. Finally, given the vehicle's age, it is sensible to check the condition of the subframe mounting points, the rear brake flexible hoses for cracking, and the general underbody for any structural corrosion that might not have been flagged in the MOT but would be relevant for long-term roadworthiness.