2011 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · SW11 EYH

The vehicle presents a concerning roadworthiness profile characterized by a trend of deferred maintenance and recurring mechanical failures. While the most recent test in January 2024 at 121,455 miles was a pass, it followed a failure just three days prior that revealed multiple defects. The history shows a clear pattern where components are only addressed when they fail an inspection rather than through proactive replacement. The persistent presence of brake wear and structural corrosion suggests that the owner performs the bare minimum required to keep the car legal on the road. The mileage pattern is consistent with a typical used-car of this age, averaging approximately 8,100 miles per year. Between February 2022 and February 2023, the car covered 3,228 miles, while it added another 3,433 miles between January 2023 and January 2024. This relatively low annual usage often leads to accelerated degradation of rubber-based components due to age, which is evidenced by the perishing rear tyre noted in the January 2024 test and the ongoing corrosion of metalwork like the sub-frame and suspension arms. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the underbody, specifically focusing on the integrity of the front sub-frame and rear suspension components. The tester flagged these as corroded but not yet weakened in 2024, but rust on these Fords typically progresses rapidly. The braking system requires close scrutiny as the record shows a history of thin pads, pitted discs, and fluctuating performance across three different years. The nearside front brake pipe is also corroded and masked in grease, which often hides structural thinning until a leak occurs. Further attention should be paid to the steering geometry, as the offside track rod end showed slight play in 2022 and excessive play in 2023. The recurring issues with loose heat shields and deteriorating plates indicate a general lack of attention to minor hardware. Given that the last MOT is now over two years old and the history shows frequent failures on safety-critical items like lighting and steering, the vehicle is likely to require significant maintenance expenditure in the near future.