2012 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · YK12 EFD

The 1.25-litre Duratec petrol engine is one of the more frugal Fiesta units, typically returning 40-50 mpg in real-world driving, though a car doing mostly town work may see closer to 35-40 mpg. Road tax for a 2012 petrol Fiesta of this engine size falls into a low VED band, costing around £30-£35 per year to tax. Insurance should be reasonable — the 1.25 Fiesta sits in group 7-8, so most drivers with a few years' no-claims will see premiums in the £350-£500 range annually, though younger drivers will pay considerably more. Typical maintenance for a 140k-mile Fiesta includes consumables like brake pads and discs (£200-£300 for a full axle), suspension components such as wishbones and drop links (£150-£250 per side) and the occasional clutch replacement. Given the advisories already recorded, prospective buyers should set aside at least £300-£500 for likely near-term repairs to the steering and brake pipe. Estimated annual running cost: £1,200-£1,600 covering fuel, tax, insurance and routine maintenance.

Start with the front suspension and steering, as this is where the MOT history has consistently flagged issues. The nearside front track rod end ball joint has been an advisory at two consecutive tests, so check for play in the steering by rocking the front wheel with the car jacked and looking for movement at the track rod end. Also inspect the nearside front shock absorber — the 2024 advisory noted light oil misting, which is the first stage of shock failure; bounce each corner and listen for clonking noises over bumps. The rear brake pipe corrosion is the most safety-critical item, so get underneath (or have a garage do so) to visually inspect the brake lines for surface rust, paying particular attention to unions and bends where corrosion tends to develop first on a 14-year-old car.

Beyond the MOT-flagged items, carry out a thorough check of the 1.25 Duratec engine for oil leaks around the cam cover gasket, which is a known weak point and will leave oil on the exhaust manifold if worn. Listen on cold start for any timing chain rattle that settles after a few seconds — this can indicate a stretched chain, a common issue on high-mileage Fiestas and an expensive repair if ignored. Check the rear brake lamps work correctly (they failed in 2022) and ensure the airbag warning lamp extinguishes promptly on ignition, as the 2022 failure listed an SRS warning lamp fault. Finally, inspect the bodywork for rust along the wheel arches, sills and under the tailgate — the Fiesta is not the worst offender for corrosion but later examples of this age in the UK climate can show surface rust that may develop into something more serious.