2008 Ford Fiesta 1.4L Petrol · ML08 ABN
2008 Ford Fiesta (1.4L, petrol). First registered 26 Mar 2008. Recorded mileage 94,251 miles. MOT expired on 01 Dec 2025.
- Make & Model
- FORD FIESTA
- Year / Origin
- 2008 · Manchester & Merseyside
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 01 Dec 2025
- Road Tax
- Untaxed (28 May 2026)
- Recorded Mileage
- 94,251 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- ULEZ Compliant (Euro 4+)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 1.4L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
AI-generated interpretation of this vehicle’s MOT record — not an official statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
ML08 ABN Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT failed on 02/12/2025
- 94,251 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 6 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring tyres items (8 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
MOT Roadworthiness: Below Average
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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ML08 ABN Mileage History
- 23/11/202287,326 mi
- 28/11/202390,087 mi+2,761 mi
- 28/11/202390,089 mi+2 mi
- 26/11/202492,543 mi+2,454 mi
- 02/12/202594,251 mi+1,708 mi
Average of roughly 2,289 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
ML08 ABN MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 2008 Ford Fiesta (ML08 ABN) between November 2022 and December 2025.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 02 December 2025 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Tyres (8 issues), Brakes (3 issues), Suspension (3 issues), Lighting (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 10 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength ”; “Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength”; “Offside Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural stren”.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
We would caution strongly against buying
Any prospective buyer should obtain a full and detailed inspection, ideally from a garage experienced with older Ford Fiestas, before committing funds. The most pressing concern is the structural corrosion flagged in December 2025 — suspension spring mounting areas on both rear sides and the offside outer sill were all marked as excessively corroded and significantly reducing structural strength, which is not a minor advisory. Repairs of this nature on a 17-year-old Fiesta are very likely to be uneconomical, and many specialists would advise against welding repairs on areas already this compromised.
Negotiate hard on price and assume you will need to spend several hundred pounds immediately on tyres (both rear tyres were below legal tread at the last test), brake pipe renewal, and a headlamp lens clean or replacement. The 1,398cc petrol engine is generally robust, but ask to see any service receipts available — though note that MOT records alone do not establish mechanical condition or service history, so independent inspection is essential. The offside rear stop lamp failure seen in November 2023 should also be checked; it may simply be a bulb, but it warrants verification.
The 1,398cc petrol Fiesta is one of the more economical superminis of its era, typically returning around 40-45 mpg in mixed driving, though a car of this age and mileage may fall short of that. Road tax for a 2008 petrol Fiesta of this engine size falls into a low VED bracket (typically £30-£165 depending on exact CO2 band), and insurance should sit in groups 5-7, keeping premiums relatively affordable for younger drivers especially.
Budget realistically for maintenance — older Fiestas of this vintage commonly need replacement bushes, exhaust sections, and ageing rubber components. With the structural corrosion already identified, budget at least £500-£1,000 for immediate remedial work even if the car passes a re-test. Estimated annual running costs including fuel, tax, insurance, and routine maintenance are likely to be in the £1,400-£1,800 range for a vehicle of this age and mileage, with the caveat that unexpected corrosion repairs could push this significantly higher.
Begin with a thorough examination of the sill areas, rear suspension turrets, and wheel arches — the December 2025 MOT flagged the offside outer sill and both rear spring mounting areas as excessively corroded, so a torch and careful look underneath is essential. Get the vehicle up on a ramp if possible, as surface rust can hide much worse corrosion beneath. Pay particular attention to brake pipes, especially offside rear inner, which has been flagged for corrosion on both the 2023 and 2025 tests — this suggests ongoing deterioration that may now require full pipe replacement.
Check all four tyres for age (look for the DOT date code) and even wear patterns; the 2025 failure noted both rear tyres below legal tread, indicating either neglect or geometry issues. Inspect the headlamp lenses for the product residue noted in the failure — this could be a cheap restoration or a sign of deeper lens degradation. Test all brake lights, including the offside rear which failed in 2023, and listen for any clonks from the rear suspension over bumps. Finally, check for warning lights on the dashboard and ensure the engine starts cleanly from cold, as 1,398cc Zetec engines of this age can develop timing chain and water pump issues.
This March 2008 Ford Fiesta in red has covered 94,251 miles across its recorded MOT history, running roughly in line with the model's annual average of around 5,774 miles per year. Of the five MOT tests on file, two have resulted in failures (2023 and 2025), with the most recent test flagging multiple serious structural corrosion issues around the rear suspension and sill area. The pattern of brake pipe corrosion across two consecutive tests, combined with escalating structural concerns, points to a vehicle that may be nearing the end of its economical life. The aggregate Ford Fiesta pass rate of 77.7% sits below the all-model average, which contextualises the failures seen here.
The Ford Fiesta has an aggregate MOT pass rate of 77.7% across over 1.5 million analysed vehicles, which sits below the all-model average and indicates that older examples commonly develop corrosion, exhaust, and suspension issues. The most frequent failure reasons across the model are headlamp, exhaust, and coil spring problems — all of which align with the defects seen on this particular car.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
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