2012 Ford Fiesta 1.4L Diesel · SW61 AEV

A notable characteristic of this 2012 Ford Fiesta's MOT record is the recurring pattern of retests within a very short window, with both the 2026 and 2025 tests showing a failure immediately followed by a pass two days later. While no advisory or failure defects were recorded against either outcome, the consistency of this pattern over two consecutive years suggests that minor items, often near the pass/fail threshold, are being identified and rectified immediately before the test is re-submitted. The intervening 2024 test passed cleanly first time. Taken together, the record demonstrates a car that is fundamentally roadworthy at the point of test but one whose components are sitting close enough to the wear limits to generate last-minute remedial work each winter. With 111,539 miles recorded across roughly 14 years, annual usage works out to approximately 7,967 miles per year, which sits squarely within the typical bracket for a car of this age. The mileage progression between tests is broadly steady, with no evidence of large jumps that might suggest long motorway commutes followed by periods of inactivity, nor any prolonged gaps that would imply the vehicle was laid up. This kind of regular, moderate use generally keeps mechanical components cycling through their working range, which is positive for items such as the clutch, brakes, and suspension bushes, while still placing steady wear on consumables like brake pads, discs, tyres, and the timing chain or belt service items that are due at high mileages on the 1.25 or 1.6 Sigma engines commonly fitted to this model. For a prospective buyer, the absence of recorded advisories means there is no specific component flagged for monitoring, but given the vehicle's age and mileage, a thorough physical inspection remains essential. On a test drive, pay close attention to the steering for any knocking or looseness over uneven surfaces, which would indicate worn front suspension components such as anti-roll bar drop links, wishbone bushes, or track rod ends, all common wear points on a Fiesta of this vintage. Listen for clonks from the rear axle on speed humps, where the rear beam bushes can deteriorate, and check for uneven tyre wear across the axle that might point to worn suspension geometry or a sagging rear beam. Brake feel should be assessed for a soft or spongy pedal that may indicate corroded brake pipes or aged fluid, and any pulling to one side under braking could suggest a binding caliper or a seized slider, both of which become more prevalent as mileage climbs beyond six figures. Inspect the underbody and inner arches for bubbling or flaking corrosion, particularly around the rear wheel arches, jacking points, and front subframe mounting areas, as Fiesta models from the early 2010s are known to develop surface corrosion in these regions even when not flagged at test. Finally, with the engine idling from cold, listen for any timing chain rattle, particularly on the 1.25 and 1.4 petrol variants, and check for any visible oil misting from the cam cover gasket or around the oil filter housing, as these are typical high-mileage seepage points worth verifying in person given that the MOT record itself does not capture leaks below the failure threshold.