2004 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · YA04 YLU

A 2004 Ford Fiesta carrying 109,913 miles presents a roadworthiness profile dominated by a recurring pattern of chassis, braking, and exhaust defects rather than any single dramatic failure. The most recent examination on 6 May 2022 was a pass, but it carried advisories for an exhaust gas leak and play in the steering rack inner joint, continuing themes that have appeared in multiple previous tests. Of the seven tests on file, two resulted in failures: a dangerous nearside front suspension arm ball joint issue in August 2019 and a cluster of brake pipe corrosion and shock absorber failures in June 2016. The intervening passes between 2016 and 2022 carried steadily accumulating advisories covering front subframe corrosion, rear suspension mount corrosion, corroded fuel and filler pipes, suspension arm bushes, steering linkages, and repeated exhaust leaks. Taken together, the record indicates a vehicle whose structural and underbody components are progressively demanding attention, with rust-related advisories on subframe, suspension mountings, fuel pipes, and brake pipes forming the consistent mechanical narrative. Against a 22-year vehicle age, the recorded annual mileage of roughly 5,000 miles is notably low, and the testing cadence reflects this with gaps of around a year between some examinations and stretches where the vehicle appears to have been used very lightly. Low accumulation of miles does not insulate a car of this age from corrosion-driven deterioration, and indeed the density of rust-related advisories on structural and brake line components suggests the underbody has been exposed to moisture and road salts over many winters regardless of how little the car has actually moved. The gap between the June 2018 and August 2019 tests, combined with the dangerous suspension defect recorded at the latter, is worth weighing carefully, as lower-mileage classics often suffer from seized ball joints, perished boots, and dried-out damper fluid after extended standing periods. A prospective buyer should treat the underbody and braking system as the priority inspection areas on this Fiesta. The 2016 failure recorded excessively corroded offside rear brake pipes both under the arch and to the cylinder, and a 2020 advisory still noted corroded fuel pipes and filler pipes, so a thorough visual check of all brake and fuel lines along their full length, paying particular attention to the offside rear arch and any pipe runs near the fuel filler, is essential. With advisories on front subframe corrosion, rear suspension component mounting corrosion, and play in steering rack inner joints, the test drive should include firm inputs over uneven surfaces to listen for clonks or knocking from the front suspension, feel for vagueness or a loose sensation through the steering wheel, and watch for uneven tyre shoulder wear which often points to worn ball joints or bushes. The dangerous nearside front suspension arm ball joint finding from 2019 and the 2018 advisories on nearside front ball joint play and both rear suspension arm bushes indicate the front lower arms, track rod ends, and rear arm bushes are consumables that may now be due for renewal. The exhaust and chassis detailing should not be overlooked. An exhaust leak has been flagged in four separate tests from 2019 to 2022, and combined with the corroded fuel pipes, this points to a vehicle whose underfloor metalwork is oxidising steadily. On inspection, listen for a ticking or hiss from the exhaust under acceleration, smell for any fuel odours near the rear of the car, and examine the rear silencer and joints for black soot marks indicating active gas escape. The 2020 advisory on a wearing smooth split in the brake pedal rubber is a minor item, but it is worth confirming pedal feel is firm and consistent without sponginess. Finally, the 2019 failure involving non-functioning seat tilt mechanisms on both fronts is a reminder to physically test seat adjustment and access before purchase, while the 2016 missing nearside rear shock absorber dust cover suggests the rear dampers themselves may now be showing signs of fluid seepage or corrosion, so a close look at the rear strut bodies for wetness and rust is well worthwhile.