2004 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · RF04 UTA

A consistent record of clean MOT passes defines this 2004 Ford Fiesta, with the most recent test on 2025-09-12 returning no advisories and no defects recorded. The history shows four consecutive passes from late 2022 through to the latest examination, with a single recorded failure dated 2022-12-05 that carries no defect notes — most likely a procedural or rectification scenario where the vehicle was retested successfully two days later. The absence of any advisory entries across multiple tests suggests that the braking system, suspension components, exhaust integrity, and lighting have all remained serviceable at each annual inspection. For a vehicle of this age and mileage bracket, this represents a notably tidy roadworthiness profile with no chronic component flags appearing on the record. Annual mileage accumulation averages around 7,242 miles per year across the 22-year lifespan, which sits squarely within typical parameters for a car of this vintage. The MOT sequence shows regular annual testing with no multi-year gaps, indicating continuous use and consistent exposure to standard road conditions rather than prolonged periods of standing. Steady, moderate usage of this nature tends to be mechanically favourable, as components such as brake discs, callipers, and suspension linkages are exercised regularly rather than seizing through inactivity. The recorded mileage of 159,323 places this Fiesta firmly in high-mileage territory, meaning that while the tested components remain serviceable, the engine, transmission, and drivetrain will have accrued substantial wear over two decades of operation. Given the clean advisory record, a prospective buyer should focus their pre-purchase inspection on age-related wear items not fully captured by MOT categories, particularly the condition of the timing belt or chain service history, the clutch operation, and gearbox synchro behaviour. On a test drive, listen for any rattling from the timing chain area on cold start, check for slipping or juddering through the clutch bite point on inclines, and observe whether all gears engage cleanly without crunching or excessive resistance. Coolant and oil leaks from areas such as the cam cover gasket, sump, or water pump housing are common on high-mileage Ford units of this era, so a thorough under-bonnet examination with the engine warm is worthwhile. Suspension and steering refinement deserves attention despite the clean test record, as bushes and anti-roll bar links on a 22-year-old vehicle can deteriorate between annual inspections. Listen for clonking or knocking over speed bumps and uneven surfaces, particularly from the front end, and feel for any wandering, pulling to one side, or excessive vibration through the steering wheel. Brake feel should be tested under moderate load — any juddering, pulling, or a soft spongy pedal would warrant further investigation of the discs, pads, and hydraulic system. Finally, inspect the underside and inner wheel arches carefully for corrosion around the suspension mounting points, subframe, and brake pipe runs, as structural rust on a car of this age can develop quickly even when surface bodywork appears presentable.