2004 Ford Fusion 1.4L Petrol · WV04 XBA

The vehicle's roadworthiness is currently compromised following a significant failure in the July 2026 test at 172,643 miles. The maintenance trend is worsening, moving from minor consumable issues to serious structural concerns. While previous years showed manageable defects such as worn tyres and defective headlamp lenses, the most recent inspection flagged excessive corrosion on the nearside and offside rear subframe mountings, which significantly reduces structural strength. This represents a critical escalation from the minor corrosion noted on coil springs and brake pipes in earlier years. The mileage accumulation is consistent with a vehicle of this age, averaging approximately 7,800 miles per year. The data shows a steady progression from 97,954 miles in 2014 to the current 172,643 miles. There are no significant gaps in the testing history, suggesting the vehicle has been in regular use. However, the recent jump from 166,460 miles in July 2025 to 172,643 miles in July 2026 indicates a standard annual usage pattern that has not slowed down despite the increasing mechanical age of the car. A prospective buyer must prioritise a thorough inspection of the vehicle's underside. The failure of the subframe mountings due to excessive corrosion is a major structural risk that may require expensive welding or component replacement. The tester also identified corroded rear coil springs and perished anti-roll bar linkage dust covers, indicating that the suspension system is reaching the end of its service life. The history of leaking power steering components in June 2025 and noisy wheel bearings suggests that various hydraulic and drivetrain components are also showing signs of fatigue. Beyond the structural issues, the recurring advisories for worn tyres and defective headlamp lenses suggest a pattern of reactive rather than preventative maintenance. The presence of multiple lighting failures and a damaged windscreen in the latest report implies that basic bulb and glass upkeep has been neglected. Any purchase should be contingent on a professional assessment of the subframe integrity and the condition of the braking system, specifically checking for the continued degradation of brake pipes which have been flagged for corrosion periodically since 2014.