2003 Ford Fiesta 1.4L Petrol · LU03 BKA

The 2003 Ford Fiesta currently holds no valid MOT. The most recent test on 21 November 2024 at 98,124 miles resulted in a outright failure, and the vehicle has not returned for a retest since. The maintenance trend is clearly worsening. Within a single year, the car went from a pass with minor advisories in November 2023 to a multi-point failure covering critical safety and emissions systems. The tester flagged an overheating condition preventing emissions completion, a leaking rear exhaust, a malfunctioning power steering system, and a worn nearside front tyre. These are not minor cosmetic issues. They indicate a vehicle that was likely driven in a compromised state rather than repaired promptly after the November 2023 advisories were noted. The mileage pattern tells a story of very light use followed by a sharp spike. Between November 2021 at 77,280 miles and November 2022 at 85,415 miles, the car covered roughly 8,135 miles in twelve months, which is still below average. Then between November 2022 and November 2023, it jumped from 85,415 to 92,879 miles, adding another 7,464 miles. But the critical anomaly sits between the November 2023 pass at 92,879 miles and the November 2024 failure at 98,124 miles, a gain of 5,245 miles in a year during which the car apparently deteriorated mechanically without receiving a valid MOT. The recorded mileage has not moved since November 2024, suggesting the car has been stationary for over seven months. That raises questions about whether it has been sitting unused with degraded coolant, stale fuel, or seized components. A buyer should treat the 2024 failure list as a diagnostic starting point. The overheating fault demands a thorough inspection of the cooling system, including the radiator, thermostat, water pump, and head gasket integrity. A compression test and coolant pressure test are advisable before any commitment. The power steering malfunction could range from a low fluid level to a failed pump or rack, so check for fluid leaks around the steering column and rack boots. The rear exhaust leak may seem minor, but on a 23-year-old small car, exhaust corrosion often signals broader underbody rust, particularly around mounting points and floor pans. Inspect the subframes and sills carefully for structural corrosion, as this generation of Fiesta is well known for rear arch and sill deterioration. The recurring offside registration plate lamp fault across multiple tests suggests either a persistent wiring issue or a pattern of neglecting simple electrical fixes. That may seem trivial, but it reflects a broader attitude toward maintenance. The nearside front tyre worn to the legal limit in November 2024, combined with the advisories on both rear tyres in 2021, points to irregular tyre replacement and possible suspension or tracking issues. Have the front suspension bushes, ball joints, and tracking inspected, particularly given the 2022 advisory on the offside front suspension arm ball joint dust cover. A deteriorated cover means the joint itself may have been exposed to contamination and could be worn.