2008 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · PN58 NPE

The 1.25-litre petrol Fiesta is one of the more economical cars in its class, with a combined fuel economy figure of around 47 mpg according to manufacturer data, giving real-world returns of roughly 38-42 mpg. Road tax for a 2008 1.25 petrol Fiesta falls in the lower VED bands given its modest CO2 output, so annual tax should be in the £30-£170 bracket depending on list price band. Insurance is a strength of this model — the Fiesta 1.25 typically sits in group 6, making it one of the cheapest superminis to insure.

Servicing costs for this engine are modest, with minor services in the £120-£180 range and major services around £250-£350 at independent garages. However, the MOT advisory pattern suggests potential upcoming costs including brake pipes (£80-£200 per corner depending on whether flexy hoses or rigid sections are affected), suspension arms (£100-£250 per side including ball joints), and replacement tyres which have been flagged as worn on edges at nearly every test. Budget at least £300-£500 in near-term maintenance beyond the purchase price.

On inspection, focus on the front suspension assembly — both nearside and offside ball joint dust covers were flagged as severely deteriorated in 2024, and while dust covers themselves are inexpensive, they typically signal wear in the joint itself which can lead to MOT failure if ignored. Lift the front wheels and check for play in the ball joints by rocking the tyre top-to-bottom and side-to-side. The gearbox oil seal leak noted at offside should be checked by looking underneath for fresh oil staining around the gearbox casing, and smelling for warm gearbox oil after a drive.

The brake pipe corrosion advisories from 2025 indicate the underbody brake lines are beginning to deteriorate — a common issue on older Fiestas kept in the UK climate. Inspect all visible brake pipes for surface rust, pitting, or signs of previous repair, and check the flexy hoses for cracking or bulging. Tyres have been an advisory at every single recorded MOT test on this vehicle, all related to edge wear; this suggests possible wheel alignment or suspension geometry issues, so check the camber visually and ask whether a four-wheel alignment has been done recently. Finally, confirm the offside mirror (flagged loose in 2026) is secure, and verify the rear number plate is properly affixed as it was noted insecure in 2023.