2002 Ford Fiesta 1.4L Petrol · ML52 ODB

A twenty-four-year-old Ford Fiesta carrying 135,952 miles presents a mixed and at times inconsistent mechanical picture across seven recorded MOT events since late 2022. The most recent test on 10 November 2025 returned a clean pass with no defects or advisories recorded, suggesting the immediate roadworthiness position is sound, though this should be viewed against a backdrop of four recorded failures spanning late 2022 through to October 2025. The early 2023 and 2022 failures were centred on relatively minor lighting defects, including inoperative nearside stop lamps and a position lamp, both classed asPRS items, but the November 2024 failure was significantly more serious, with a major exhaust leak at the rear silencer, an illuminated engine management indicator lamp, and an emissions test that could not be completed. The October 2025 failure involved all three tyres on the nearside and offside fronts plus nearside rear being cut beyond permissible depth, together with headlamp aim being too low and the registration plate lamp being inoperative. The recurrence of lighting and tyre-related defects across consecutive tests points to a pattern of deferred maintenance on basic service items rather than one-off oversights, and the exhaust and emissions failure raises questions about the condition of the rear silencer and the engine management system that warrant physical inspection. The recorded mileage of 135,952 miles over a 24-year service life equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 5,665 miles, which is notably low for a vehicle of this age and type. This figure implies either extended periods of light use or, more likely, periods during which the vehicle was standing dormant, potentially in a garage or off-road, which is consistent with the testing gaps visible in the record. The MOT history supplied only begins in November 2022, meaning there is no official verification of mileage or condition across the first twenty years of the vehicle's life. Standing for prolonged periods can be as demanding on certain components as high mileage, with brake discs corroding, tyres developing flat spots and sidewall cracking, fuel system seals drying out, and battery condition deteriorating. The fact that the early recorded advisories flag corroded fuel pipework and a corroded nearside rear coil spring suggests that environmental exposure during lay-ups may have already begun to affect structural and safety-critical components. Given the specific components flagged in the MOT record, a prospective buyer should focus their inspection on the suspension and underbody, the braking system, the exhaust rear section, and the tyre condition. The recurring advisory on the nearside rear coil spring corrosion from 2022 onwards suggests this component has not been replaced and warrants a physical check for advanced surface rust and any loss of spring rate, which would manifest as the vehicle sitting low at the rear or producing clonking noises over uneven surfaces. The 2024 advisory on pitted and scored front brake discs indicates wear at the pad contact face, which can produce pedal judder under heavy application and may necessitate disc replacement rather than just pad renewal. The 2024 major failure on the rear silencer exhaust leak and the inability to complete an emissions test, combined with an active MIL, suggests the catalyst, lambda sensors, or ignition system may have underlying faults that could resurface. On the road, listen for any exhaust blowing or ticking from the rear silencer area, check for dashboard warning lights on startup and during driving, and observe whether the engine runs smoothly under load. The 2023 advisories on corroded fuel pipes are particularly significant and require examination of all visible fuel lines beneath the bonnet and beneath the vehicle for surface corrosion, scaling, or weeping joints, as degraded fuel pipes represent both an MOT failure risk and a fire hazard. Finally, a thorough pre-purchase inspection should include a careful examination of all four tyres, including the inner sidewalls and tread shoulders, since the 2024 advisory noted cracking on the nearside rear and offside front, and the 2025 failure recorded deep cuts reaching the ply or cords on three tyres. This pattern suggests the tyres may have been aged or of poor quality, and a buyer should confirm the fitment date and DOT markings of any current tyres, replacing all four if there is any doubt given the age of the vehicle. Lighting checks should be carried out with the ignition on, verifying operation of all stop lamps, position lamps, and the registration plate illumination, as these have failed repeatedly in the record. Headlamp aim should be checked against a flat wall, as a too-low setting may indicate weakened adjusters or a sagging bodyshell mounting. With the clean November 2025 pass, the vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the cumulative pattern of lighting failures, exhaust and emissions issues, tyre neglect, and emerging corrosion on fuel and suspension components indicates that a thorough mechanical inspection and likely some preventative maintenance should be budgeted for before purchase.