2004 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · WD53 HSY

Chronic front suspension deterioration sits at the centre of this Fiesta's MOT record, with the offside front lower arm ball joint and anti-roll bar linkage dust covers flagged across virtually every test since 2020 and culminating in two Major failures in 2022 and 2023 when the perished covers no longer prevented dirt ingress. The vehicle also displays a recurring electrical pattern: the headlamp levelling device on the offside has been inoperative at three separate tests from 2021 to 2023, twice producing Major defects and once an advisory, suggesting either a persistent fault that has not been rectified or a component that has failed repeatedly. The most recent test on 10 May 2023 saw a PASS, but the advisories recorded that same day for thin front brake pads and corroded offside brake pipes indicate that the braking system is also under observation, and the previous identical advisories from 2022 show these items have been allowed to persist on the vehicle rather than being addressed. Mileage accumulation has been notably restrained for a 22-year-old vehicle, with 109,858 recorded miles equating to roughly 4,994 miles per year on average, well below typical figures for a car of this vintage. This lower-than-expected annual rate suggests the Fiesta has seen lighter-than-average use, which may have reduced wear on major drivetrain components but does not eliminate concerns around age-related deterioration of rubber, plastics, and corroding ferrous components. There are no obvious gaps in the MOT history that would imply extended periods off the road, with annual tests consistently recorded from 2020 onwards, indicating continuous road use. The 2021 entry also recorded a Dangerous defect for a nearside front tyre with tread depth below 1.6mm, which combined with the advisory for an offside front tyre worn on its edge points to uneven or aggressive tyre wear that a buyer should not assume has been resolved simply because subsequent tests passed. An emissions failure in January 2020 for excessive hydrocarbons after the second fast idle is an isolated but notable item that warrants confirmation of recent engine condition. For a prospective buyer, the priority mechanical items to inspect are the offside front suspension assembly. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end when traversing speed bumps, uneven road surfaces, or driveway kerbs, and pay particular attention to any vagueness or rattle through the steering when cornering or braking, as perished ball joint dust covers permit contamination of the joint itself, accelerating wear and potentially leading to excessive play. Have the offside front lower arm, anti-roll bar drop link, and ball joint physically checked for movement by rocking the wheel at three and nine o'clock while observing the joint for vertical play. The offside headlamp levelling system should be verified as functioning, as three consecutive MOT records have referenced this fault, and the headlight aim should be checked both at static setting and through the full range of the levelling motor. Brake lines on both offside corners have been flagged for surface corrosion, so a thorough visual inspection underneath along the brake pipe runs is warranted, looking for any pitting, blistering, or active rust weeping, and the front brake pads should be measured for remaining friction material given they were noted as thin in both 2022 and 2023. Finally, the tyres should be examined for uneven shoulder wear particularly on the offside front, as the 2021 advisory recorded edge wear, and the emissions system should be observed for any excessive smoke or rough idle that could indicate the hydrocarbon issue has returned.