1997 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · P145 ACD

A 1997 Ford Fiesta with chronic corrosion and suspension wear dominates this vehicle's mechanical profile, alongside an unusual run of brake and wheel-bearing failures that warrant serious scrutiny from a prospective buyer. Across five recorded MOT tests since 2020, the car has passed three times but failed twice, and the structural and corrosion advisories have escalated rather than abated. The most recent test on 29 April 2025 was a pass, but it carried a minor defect for a deteriorated nearside front CV joint boot and four advisories covering perished rear tyres and worn lower arm rear bushes on both sides. The 2024 cycle included a failure on 10 April for substandard rear brake efficiency, imbalanced rear braking across axle two, excessive nearside rear wheel bearing play, and an inadequate windscreen washer, before a re-test two days later passed with the same persistent advisories plus a broader note that the brakes and suspension are heavily corroded. Earlier still, the January 2023 test saw a failure for excessively corroded nearside front suspension mounting area significantly reducing structural strength at the sill, and the December 2020 failure cited an empty power steering reservoir rendering the system inoperative, together with two tyres cut deep enough to expose the ply. Two consecutive tests in 2020 and 2023 have flagged corrosion as a recurring theme, and the 2025 advisories suggest this deterioration continues rather than resolves. The recorded mileage of 45,945 miles against a 1997 registration equates to roughly 1,584 miles annually, which is exceptionally low for a vehicle approaching three decades old and indicates either very light use or substantial periods of standing off the road. The testing pattern itself supports the latter interpretation, with a four-year gap between the December 2020 cycle and the next recorded test in January 2023, suggesting the car was either untested, SORN, or otherwise inactive during that window. Light annual accumulation reduces wear on high-mileage consumables such as clutches and engine internals but concentrates degradation on components that suffer from standing still, particularly brake discs, callipers, suspension bushes, CV boots, and any exposed steelwork subject to surface corrosion. The chronic rust advisories documented here are consistent with a low-usage vehicle left exposed to moisture for extended periods, and the heavy corrosion noted on brake discs in 2023 is a textbook outcome of infrequent use rather than neglect of high-mileage service items. Given the documented suspension component wear, a test drive should focus on listening and feeling for symptoms consistent with failing lower arm rear bushes and worn top mounts, both flagged repeatedly across multiple tests. Listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension over uneven road surfaces, particularly over speed humps and potholes, and pay attention to any vagueness or wandering in the steering that may indicate compromised bushes allowing geometry shift under load. The nearside rear wheel bearing play noted in 2020 and 2024 should be checked by rocking the rear wheel at the twelve and six o'clock positions to detect any rumble or notchiness, ideally with the wheel jacked, and on the road listen for a humming or droning noise that rises and falls with speed, which suggests the bearing has progressed beyond advisory limits. Brake performance deserves particular attention given the imbalanced rear braking failure in 2024; test the pedal feel for excessive travel or sponginess and confirm the car pulls up squarely without any rear-wheel lock or judder under firm application, as heavily corroded discs may have caused uneven pad contact. The body and structural advisories are arguably the most significant concern for a long-term purchase. The January 2023 failure specifically cited the nearside front sill area as excessively corroded and reducing structural strength, and the 2024 test broadly noted that brakes and suspension are heavily corroded, which on a 29-year-old Fiesta frequently implicates the inner arches, subframe mounting points, rear axle beam, and brake pipe runs along the underbody. Inspect the sills, wheel arches, and underbonnet strut tops for bubbling paint or obvious perforation, and run a magnet over suspect areas to identify filler. Examine the brake and fuel lines for any surface rust or flaking, and check the rear axle assembly for corrosion around the spring seats and mounting plates. The persistent perished rear tyre advisories across four consecutive tests suggest the car may have been stored for periods without movement, allowing sidewall degradation, so inspect all four tyres carefully for cracking regardless of their apparent age stamp. Finally, verify that the power steering system is fully functional with no leaks from the reservoir or rack, as the 2020 failure for an empty reservoir and inoperative system could recur if any seals have hardened with disuse.