2012 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · SA12 MLL

A persistent oil leak from the engine has been flagged at every single MOT inspection this Fiesta has undergone since at least 2020, with the same advisory wording repeated across six consecutive tests and even accompanying a recent failure. The most recent examination on 8 October 2025 produced both a Pass and a Fail recorded on the same day; the failure cited a major exhaust leak at the rear back box and a non-functional nearside rear stop lamp, while the accompanying pass retained the long-standing oil leak advisory. Beyond the oil seep, the vehicle has accumulated two other failure episodes in recent years: a Dangerous defect in October 2022 for an offside front tyre with tread depth below the statutory 1.6mm limit, and the 2025 exhaust and lamp failures. The pattern suggests a mechanically ageing powertrain with a chronic but unaddressed oil weephole or gasket issue, alongside developing corrosion or joint failure in the rear exhaust assembly. Mileage accumulation for this fourteen-year-old Ford stands at 91,778 miles, equating to roughly 6,556 miles per year across its life, which sits close to the average usage rate expected of a car of this age. The MOT history shows annual testing continuity from 2020 through 2025 with no significant gaps, indicating the vehicle has remained in regular use rather than being laid up for extended periods. Given the moderate annual mileage, the wear pattern reflected in the test record is broadly consistent with cumulative use of consumable and underbody components; suspension bushes, coil springs, brake discs, and exhaust hangers on a Fiesta of this age and mileage will commonly be approaching the latter portion of their service life. There are no recorded odometer readings within the MOT data itself to verify against, so any mileage discrepancy should be confirmed via the dashboard at the point of viewing and cross-checked against service documentation. The recurring oil leak advisory is the most significant item to investigate physically before purchase, as the source could range from a minor rocker cover or sump gasket seep to a more serious crank seal or rear main oil leak, each carrying different repair costs. On a test drive, listen for any change in engine note, watch for blue smoke from the exhaust on start-up or under hard acceleration, and inspect the undertray and lower engine block for fresh oil residue or staining on the bellhousing area. Check the dipstick for emulsion or unusually low oil level, and ask when the oil was last changed, as a chronic leak left unmonitored can lead to oil starvation. Inspect the rear exhaust back box and its mounting rubber for visible splits, bluish staining around the joint, or audible blowing, ticking, or drumming that increases with engine load, and confirm the nearside rear stop lamp illuminates correctly on both ignition and brake application. The 2022 Dangerous tyre failure also warrants attention to the remaining rubber on the car. Inspect all four tyres for tread depth with a gauge, paying particular attention to inner shoulder wear which can indicate worn front suspension components such as wishbone bushes, ball joints, or track rod ends. On the test drive, listen for clonks or knocks over speed bumps and uneven road surfaces, feel for any steering vagueness, pulling to one side under braking, or vibration through the steering wheel, and test the brakes firmly from speed to check for judder or pulling. The offside front tyre advisory from 2021 regarding inner-edge wear suggests the front suspension geometry may have been deteriorating for some time, so a thorough inspection of the front subframe, anti-roll bar drop links, and coil spring seats for corrosion is advisable, particularly given the vehicle's age and exposure to typical UK winter road conditions.