2002 Ford Fusion 1.4L Petrol · ML52 HMX

The 2002 Ford Fusion presents a stable and consistently clean roadworthiness record through its most recent MOT entries. The current certificate, issued on 12 August 2023 at 119,246 miles, recorded zero defects, advisories, or failures. This outcome mirrors the pattern established across the preceding four years, where every successful test returned a completely clean sheet. The maintenance trend is firmly stable, with no recurring mechanical or structural faults appearing in the official DVSA record. For a vehicle of this age, that consistency suggests attentive ownership and no unresolved deterioration in core safety systems. The mileage profile tells a clear story of very light use. Between the September 2021 pass at 107,877 miles and the August 2023 pass at 119,246 miles, the vehicle covered just 11,369 miles over nearly two full years, averaging under 6,000 miles annually. The annualised figure across the full 24-year lifespan sits at roughly 4,969 miles per year, well below the UK average. The record also shows two instances of same-day passes and fails at identical mileages, in both 2021 and 2022, which typically indicates a minor defect identified and rectified during the same testing session rather than a prolonged fault. No gaps exist in the annual testing pattern, confirming continuous road use without extended periods of SORN. Despite the clean paperwork, a buyer should not assume the vehicle is free of age-related wear. At nearly 24 years old, structural corrosion remains the primary concern on any Ford Fusion of this generation, particularly around sills, subframes, and suspension mounting points. A physical underbody inspection is essential, as MOT testers do not always flag surface corrosion unless it becomes a structural risk. Suspension components such as bushes, drop links, and coil springs degrade with age regardless of mileage, and their condition should be checked for perishing or play. The braking and exhaust systems also warrant close attention. Rear brake calipers and handbrake mechanisms on this model are known to seize or bind, and exhaust mounting points and flexi-joints corrode over time. Tyre condition should be inspected, as low-mileage vehicles often sit stationary for extended periods, leading to sidewall cracking and uneven wear even when tread depth appears adequate. The clean MOT record provides confidence, but a pre-purchase inspection focused on these age-dependent components will reveal the true condition beneath the paperwork.