2002 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · WX02 KVH

A pattern of recurring brake, suspension, and corrosion advisories sits at the core of this 2002 Ford Fiesta's MOT record, with the trend clearly worsening rather than stabilising. The most recent test on 2024-04-02 resulted in a failure, and while none of the items were categorised as dangerous or major, the cluster of four advisories covering nearside front tyre wear on the edge, perishing on both rear tyres, a deteriorated front registration plate, and an obviously under-inflated nearside rear tyre points to a vehicle receiving minimal attention between tests. Looking further back, the 2020-11-16 failure exposed far more serious issues, including a nearside rear suspension component mounting area excessively corroded at the inner sill and exhaust carbon monoxide content exceeding default limits, both of which represent structural and emissions concerns typical of a Fiesta of this age. Two further failures appear in the history, in November 2019 and November 2021, with the 2019 test flagging corroded rear brake hose ferrules and lighting defects, and the 2021 test recording a dangerous nearside front brake pad below 1.5mm thickness. The cumulative picture is one of escalating wear rather than clean roadworthiness. At 106,963 miles over roughly 24 years, this Fiesta has covered an average of approximately 4,457 miles per year, which is low for the vehicle's age and suggests either periods of light use or extended standing. The MOT testing history shows a relatively consistent biennial pattern with no extended lay-up gaps, indicating the car has remained in regular use despite the modest annual mileage. This low accumulation rate is mechanically significant, as lower-mileage vehicles of this age frequently suffer from corrosion in structural and under-body areas due to moisture sitting on components rather than being regularly dispersed by driving, and rubber items such as brake hoses, suspension bushes, and tyres can perish or harden from inactivity as much as from wear. The November 2020 structural corrosion advisory at the inner sill is consistent with this pattern. The brake system has been the most consistently flagged area, with deteriorated front brake hoses appearing as advisories in 2019, 2020, and 2021, pitted and scored front brake discs noted in 2019 and 2021, a dangerous brake pad failure in November 2021, and corroded rear brake hose ferrules in 2019. A prospective buyer should carry out a firm brake pedal test and listen for any grinding, squealing, or pulling to one side under braking, while also inspecting the visible brake pipes and hoses along the underbody and behind the front wheels for surface rust, weeping fluid, or perished rubber cracks. The 2020 sill corrosion finding warrants a physical inspection of the inner sill and rear suspension mounting points on a ramp or over a pit, looking for perforation, flaking rust that penetrates the metal, or any previous poor-quality repair work. The suspension record adds further focus, with near side front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint play flagged in both 2021 and 2023, and the D bushes at the front anti-roll bar noted as worn in 2020. On a test drive, these would typically present as clonks or knocking noises from the front end over speed bumps, uneven road surfaces, or during sharper direction changes, accompanied by a vague or loose feeling through the steering wheel. The recurring oil leak advisory from November 2021 also merits a check of the engine underside for fresh oil residue and an inspection of the dipstick and under-bonnet oil filler area for any signs of sludge or excessive consumption. Finally, given the tyre and inflation advisory from the 2024 test, all four tyres should be examined closely for age-related sidewall cracking, uneven shoulder wear suggesting alignment issues, and current pressures, as the combination of perishing rubber, an under-inflated tyre, and front-edge wear on a 24-year-old Fiesta is a reasonable indicator that the consumable items have not been replaced proactively.