2002 Ford Fiesta 1.3L Petrol · OV52 BLX

This 2002 Ford Fiesta presents a roadworthiness record dominated by a single but significant failure event on 8 September 2025, where a combination of a seriously defective headlamp lens, a missing nearside steering rack gaiter, and imbalanced rear braking across axle two prevented a pass certificate being issued. The vehicle was returned to the test station the same day and secured a pass once those defects were addressed, but the nature of the items raised is important: the loss of a steering rack gaiter permits contamination of the rack internals by water and grit, and a rear brake imbalance suggests uneven caliper operation, sticking mechanisms, or hydraulic distribution issues that can develop quickly on a low-use vehicle. Against this single failure event, the earlier history is notably clean, with four consecutive passes between 2020 and 2023 recording no advisories whatsoever, and 2024 producing only a single front tyre edge-wear advisory. Two persistent advisories do appear in the record, however, with a non-excessive oil leak noted in both 2019 and 2025, and rear subframe corrosion flagged in 2025, indicating ongoing areas that warrant continued monitoring even though neither was deemed serious at the time of test. The recorded mileage of 98,259 miles across approximately 24 years equates to an average annual accumulation of roughly 4,100 miles, which is substantially below typical figures for a vehicle of this vintage. There are no extended gaps in the MOT testing record, suggesting the car has remained in continuous use rather than being laid up for prolonged storage, but the very modest annual mileage has mechanical implications worth considering. Brake components, particularly the rear assemblies highlighted in the recent failure, are prone to corrosion and seizure of caliper mechanisms when used infrequently, as surface rust on discs and binding of sliding pins accelerate under low-mileage, short-journey conditions. Similarly, rubber gaiters, drive shaft boots, and suspension bushes can deteriorate through age and oxidation as readily as through mechanical use, which may explain the missing steering rack gaiter identified at the most recent test. Oil seals and gaskets on an engine of this age are also vulnerable to hardening and weeping over decades rather than miles, consistent with the recurring minor oil leak advisory. For a prospective buyer, the rear brake system flagged with imbalance across axle two should be the primary focus of any inspection, as uneven braking effort at the rear axle is a direct safety concern that can destabilise the vehicle under heavy pedal application. On a test drive, listen for any scraping, grinding, or pulsation through the brake pedal, and verify that the vehicle pulls up squarely without steering pull to either side, as either symptom would suggest the rear caliper or hydraulic issue has not been fully resolved. The rear subframe corrosion noted should be physically examined with a torch and ideally inspected on a ramp, paying particular attention to mounting points, brake line clips, and suspension arm attachment zones, as corrosion in these areas can escalate rapidly once initiated. Under the bonnet, look for fresh oil residue around the engine sump, cam cover, and front crankshaft seal to gauge whether the advisory oil leak is static or worsening, and check the fluid level and condition on each subsequent inspection. The steering rack gaiter replacement recorded at the recent test should be verified by inspecting the nearside inner wheel arch liner for correct refitment and confirming that the gaiter itself is intact and properly seated, as a hastily replaced or incorrectly clipped gaiter can detach again within months. With the headlamp lens defect also rectified, ensure both headlamp units are secure, free of moisture ingress, and that the beam pattern is correctly aligned, as a replacement lens on a 24-year-old housing may not seat perfectly. Given the age and modest use, also check the condition of the timing belt or chain service interval if records are available, the integrity of the cooling system hoses and radiator, and the state of the exhaust system downstream of the catalytic converter, as these are age rather than mileage sensitive items on a low-use vehicle of this generation. Finally, test the clutch for any slipping under load, as a clutch that has seen minimal use can still suffer from hydraulic seal failure or corrosion of the release mechanism, and verify that the offside front tyre edge wear noted in 2024 has not returned, as uneven camber or worn suspension components could be the underlying cause.