2002 Ford Fiesta 1.3L Petrol · MX52 MVG

The defining mechanical thread across this 2002 Fiesta's MOT record is a broadly clean roadworthiness profile, with one notable interruption in early 2022 where the vehicle failed its test on an excessively play-laden rear wheel bearing before passing cleanly on the immediate re-test four days later. Aside from that single Major defect, the test history shows three consecutive clean passes from 2023 through January 2026, with the most recent examination on 16 January 2026 recording no advisories or defects. The earlier advisories in 2019 and 2022 relating to oil leaks were both classified as not excessive, and the tyre-related advisories on the offside front and rear pair appear to be isolated events rather than signs of systemic alignment or suspension wear. The absence of corrosion advisories, exhaust concerns, suspension component failures, or brake pipe issues over a ten-year MOT span is a notable feature of this 24-year-old vehicle's record. Against an age of roughly 24 years, the recorded 55,128 miles equates to an average annual accumulation of approximately 2,297 miles, which sits well below the typical usage rate for a car of this vintage. There is a significant testing gap between September 2019 and January 2021, during which no MOT was recorded for the vehicle, and this combined with the low annual mileage suggests the Fiesta may have spent extended periods either stationary or used only intermittently. Mechanically, low-mileage vehicles of this age can present age-related deterioration in components that do not accumulate with distance but with calendar years, notably rubber suspension bushes, engine and differential seals, brake hydraulic seals, and flexible brake hoses, all of which can harden and perish regardless of mileage. The recurring but non-excessive oil leak advisories across 2019 and 2022 are consistent with this pattern, as seals and gaskets degrade over time even when the engine is run infrequently. For a prospective buyer, the key component to scrutinise physically is the rear wheel bearing that triggered the 2022 Major failure. On a test drive, listen for a humming or droning noise from the rear of the car that changes pitch with vehicle speed, particularly audible when coasting in neutral, and feel for any wandering or instability through the steering or uneveness under braking that could indicate a renewed bearing. Given the low mileage and the vehicle's age, the suspension should be examined closely for perished rubber components, particularly the front lower wishbone bushes, anti-roll bar drop links, and rear axle bushes, all of which commonly harden and crack on low-use Fiestas of this era. Slackness in the front suspension can be detected by sharply pushing down on each front corner with the vehicle stationary and listening for a delayed or noisy response, while listening for clonks or rattles from the rear over uneven road surfaces. The oil leak history, although officially classified as not excessive on both occasions, warrants a physical inspection with a torch under the engine bay to check for fresh wet patches around the sump, cambelt area, valve cover gasket, and rear main seal. On a cold start, observe whether there is any visible misting from the engine and monitor the oil level on the dipstick over the first few days of ownership to confirm it is not actively depleting. The brake system, despite no recorded advisories since 2019, should be tested with a firm pedal application at speed to detect any judder suggesting warped front discs, and the handbrake should be checked on an incline to ensure it holds firmly. Finally, given the long standing periods implied by the testing gaps and low mileage, a thorough check of all tyre sidewalls for cracking or perishing is advisable, along with confirmation that the fuel has not degraded in the tank and that all fluids are fresh, as rubber components and consumables on a 24-year-old vehicle will degrade with calendar age irrespective of the modest mileage recorded.