2012 Ford Fiesta 1.4L Diesel · SC61 AFE

The 2012 Ford Fiesta holds a current MOT certificate valid until March 2026, secured at 118,418 miles, indicating that the vehicle is roadworthy at present but displays a persistent pattern of deferred maintenance. The maintenance trend leans toward stable rather than improving, as recurring advisories for worn rear axle trailing arm bushes appeared across the 2024, 2025, and 2026 tests, alongside long-standing corrosion on the coil springs and pitting on the front brake discs. A brief fail-and-pass sequence on February 9, 2024, at 93,826 miles occurred when an offside front tyre exposed its cords due to poor alignment, demonstrating that previous keepers occasionally pushed consumables to the legal limit before taking corrective action. Mileage accumulation sits at an average rate of roughly 8,458 miles per year over its fourteen-year lifespan, aligning closely with typical UK driving expectations. The vehicle covered 9,241 miles between February 2024 and January 2025, followed by a heavier surge of 15,345 miles between January 2025 and February 2026. This accelerated mileage spike in the final year likely explains the rapid consumption of tyres and the subsequent pass in March 2026 just weeks after the February test, suggesting the owner addressed immediate inspection items in quick succession to maintain legal operation. A physical inspection must prioritize the front brake discs, which have logged advisory flags for being worn, pitted, or scored across multiple annual checks from 2024 through 2026 and now require replacement alongside fresh pads. The suspension system demands scrutiny, specifically the rear axle trailing arm bushes noted as slightly worn in successive years, the corroded coil springs, and the offside rear shock absorber that previously exhibited a reduced damping effect and oil misting. Buyers should also check the chassis for structural corrosion, verify the tracking and steering geometry to prevent the inner tyre wear observed in past records, and monitor the minor engine oil leak noted in the February 2026 test.