2002 Ford Fiesta 1.3L Petrol · SD52 ARF

A remarkably clean MOT history defines this 2002 Ford Fiesta, with five annual test entries spanning 2022 through 2025, of which four are pass results with no advisories whatsoever. A single failure is recorded on the same date as the most recent pass, 29 August 2025, suggesting the vehicle was presented, failed on a specific item, and was subsequently repaired and retested to a pass on the same day. The absence of any recorded advisories across four consecutive passes indicates that wear-related items such as tyres, brakes, suspension components, and exhaust elements have not yet reached the advisory threshold at the time of test. There is no history of corrosion, fluid leaks, lighting defects, or structural concerns flagged in any of the recorded examinations. The mechanical story is therefore one of consistent roadworthiness across the documented testing period, with a single minor rectification event that did not prevent eventual pass status. Mileage accumulation is notably low for a vehicle of this vintage, with 85,967 recorded miles spread across approximately 24 years, equating to an annual average of around 3,580 miles. This figure is substantially below typical usage patterns for a city car of this era, which often accumulates between 6,000 and 10,000 miles annually. Such restrained usage reduces wear on internal combustion components, clutch assemblies, and drivetrain elements, but low-mileage vehicles are also susceptible to issues arising from prolonged standing periods, including dried rubber seals, degraded brake fluid, stagnant fuel, and surface corrosion on brake discs. The testing cadence has been annual without any recorded gaps since 2022, which suggests the vehicle has been kept on the road and presented for inspection each year, although mileage progression between individual tests cannot be confirmed from the data provided. The combination of low annual mileage and continuous testing implies either genuine light use or intermittent periods of standing followed by renewed activity. For a prospective buyer, the clean advisory record means there are no specific components flagged for deterioration that warrant particular inspection priority, yet a thorough physical examination remains essential given the vehicle's age. On a test drive, particular attention should be paid to suspension refinement, as a 24-year-old Fiesta may exhibit worn front wishbone bushes, top mount bearings, or anti-roll bar drop links that have not yet reached advisory severity but could produce audible knocks or vague steering responses over uneven surfaces. Brake pedal feel should be assessed for sponginess or excessive travel, which on a low-mileage, intermittently used car can indicate corroded caliper slide pins or seized piston mechanisms. Steering should remain precise without pulling to either side, and the clutch should engage smoothly without slipping, juddering, or exhibiting a high biting point, given the likely low wear on this component. The 2005-onward Mk6 Fiesta platform used common-fit items such as a hydraulic rack and Zetec-SE engines that, at this age, are prone to age-related issues including coolant leaks from the plastic housing on the engine block, perished vacuum hoses, and brittle plastic inlet manifolds. Listen for any irregular engine idle, misfire under load, or exhaust smoke on start-up, particularly blue-tinted smoke from the tailpipe which would indicate valve stem oil seal deterioration after long standing periods. Check for signs of rust along the wheel arches, sills, and rear crossmember, as corrosion in these areas is common to vehicles of this generation but has not yet been recorded as an MOT advisory. A pre-purchase inspection on a ramp would allow confirmation of underfloor condition and verification that the single same-day failure did not relate to brake pipe corrosion, a known weak point on older Fiestas of this era.