2004 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · LS54 SYU

A 2004 Ford Fiesta carrying 136,116 miles presents a broadly unremarkable DVSA history, with seven pass events recorded since 2019 and only one outright failure, though the advisory trail is worth dissecting rather than dismissed at face value. The most recent test on 17 November 2025 was a clean pass with no defects or advisories, mirroring the same outcome on 11 November 2024 and the earlier clean pass of 25 November 2020. The single failure, also dated 25 November 2020, was a straightforward presenter-related issue on the offside stop lamp, which is a minor electrical defect easily rectified with a bulb replacement and carries no mechanical consequence for the braking system itself. The genuine mechanical narrative sits within the minor defect and advisory notations from 2021 and 2023, where component deterioration was flagged on the front suspension ball joint dust covers and the constant velocity joint boots on both sides of the front drivetrain. These are wear-bound items on a vehicle of this age and mileage, and the fact that no advisories have surfaced on subsequent passes suggests the boots were either replaced or have not yet deteriorated to a recordable level. At an average of approximately 6,187 miles per year across 22 years, this Fiesta sits broadly in line with expected accumulation for its age and class, with no prolonged off-road gaps visible in the MOT sequence. There is a notable concentration of annual tests from 2019 onwards, which is typical of a vehicle being used as regular transport rather than laid up for extended periods. The continuity of testing implies the car has remained in active service throughout the recorded period, which means wear-related components such as the suspension, drivetrain and braking system will have been subjected to consistent use rather than the mixed blessings of long-term storage. The mileage itself is substantial for a small supermini, and although the Fiesta's mechanical packaging is generally tolerant of high mileage, attention should focus on the items most likely to have reached the end of their functional life given this duty cycle. The two flagged CV joint boots from the 2023 test are a known wear point on the Mk6 Fiesta, and the fact that both sides were deteriorated simultaneously suggests age-related rubber perishing rather than localised damage. On a test drive, listen for a rhythmic clicking or knocking from the front wheels when turning at full lock, particularly on a tight manoeuvre, as this indicates a torn boot has allowed grease loss and joint contamination. Any clicking under normal cornering points toward a CV joint approaching replacement rather than just a perished gaiter. The front suspension ball joint dust cover deterioration noted in 2021 also warrants inspection, as perished covers permit water and grit ingress that accelerates joint wear. On a road test, pay particular attention to any clonking from the front suspension over speed humps or rough tarmac, vague or wandering steering at speed, or uneven tyre wear across the front axle, all of which would suggest the ball joints themselves have worn beyond tolerance. Beyond the flagged components, the absence of any brake, exhaust or corrosion advisories across the last five test entries is a positive indicator for a 22-year-old vehicle, though it does not preclude deterioration developing between tests. Inspect the underside for any surface corrosion on suspension arms, subframe mounting points and brake pipes, paying particular attention to the rear axle and exhaust mounting areas where Fiesta models of this era are known to suffer. Check that the brake pedal feels firm without excessive travel, that the steering remains centred during straight-line running, and that the clutch bite point is consistent, as the high recorded mileage makes clutch wear plausible. Verify that all exterior lamps function correctly given the previous stop lamp failure, and confirm the rear registration plate condition has not deteriorated further since the 2021 advisory. A final under-bonnet check for oil leaks around the cam cover and sump gasket, both known Fiesta age points, will round out a sensible pre-purchase assessment.