2014 Ford Fiesta 1.6L Petrol · SN14 UCS

The 2014 Ford Fiesta presents a mixed but recently improving maintenance picture. The most recent test on 2025-09-12 at 66,769 miles passed cleanly with zero defects, which is a positive sign. Two days prior, however, the car failed with a corroded offside front brake pipe, a seized nearside rear parking brake, and inadequate parking brake efficiency. That the tester then passed it 48 hours later suggests the issues were addressed promptly, though the nature of the faults points to corrosion-related deterioration rather than simple consumable wear. The trend is therefore improving, but the underlying cause of brake pipe corrosion warrants scrutiny. The mileage profile tells an unusual story. Between 2024-10-15 at 63,590 miles and 2025-09-12 at 66,769 miles, the car covered 3,179 miles in just under eleven months. Yet the recorded mileage on 2025-09-10 was 66,763, meaning six miles were covered in the two days between the failure and the retest. The car has averaged roughly 5,564 miles per year over its twelve-year life, well below the UK average of around 8,000 miles annually. Low mileage often means less mechanical wear, but it can also mean long periods of inactivity, which accelerates corrosion in brake lines, exhaust components, and suspension rubber. The sparse MOT record, with only three tests in the last two years, makes it harder to establish a consistent servicing pattern. Buyers should focus their inspection on the areas that have already failed. The corroded front brake pipe and binding rear parking brake suggest the braking system has suffered from moisture ingress and age-related deterioration. Have a mechanic inspect all flexible hardlines, particularly along the underside and at the rear axle, for similar corrosion or fresh coatings of grease masking underlying rust. The 2024 failure flagged excessively worn rear suspension arm bushes on both sides and a defective rear exhaust mounting that was fouling the floor and axle. These are not minor items; worn rear bushes affect wheel alignment and handling stability, while a degraded exhaust mount can lead to exhaust gas leaks or the system dropping at speed. Check the rear suspension arms, trailing arm bushes, and exhaust hangers for fresh replacements or original, perished rubber. The advisory for slight play in the nearside front track rod end, noted in September 2024 at 63,477 miles, has not reappeared in subsequent tests, which is encouraging. Still, a physical inspection of the steering rack boots, track rod ends, and front suspension bushes is advisable given the car's age. The exhaust noise advisory from the same test also warrants attention, as a deteriorating exhaust system can affect emissions compliance and indicate internal corrosion. Overall, the car appears to have had reactive rather than preventive maintenance. A thorough underbody inspection before purchase is essential.