2012 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · YL12 BVT

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance history indicates a pattern of reactive rather than proactive mechanical care. The most recent test in February 2026 at 75,146 miles resulted in a failure due to excessive wear in the lower steering column universal joint. While the car passed the following day, this failure suggests that mechanical components are only addressed once they reach a point of legal requirement. The overall trend remains stable but highlights a tendency to overlook faults between inspections. At 14 years old, the recorded mileage of 75,146 miles is significantly low, averaging approximately 5,300 miles per year. This low usage profile is evident in the intervals between tests, such as the 3,863 miles covered between February 2024 and 2025, and 3,757 miles thereafter. However, low mileage often leads to the degradation of rubber components and seals due to lack of use, which may explain the premature steering joint and ball joint issues noted in the record. A buyer should conduct a close physical inspection of the steering and suspension assemblies. The 2024 test flagged play in both the nearside and offside front suspension arm ball joints, and the 2026 failure confirmed a worn steering column joint. You must check for any remaining play or steering notch during a test drive to ensure these repairs were executed correctly. Additionally, the uneven wear on the offside rear tyre from 2024 indicates potential alignment issues or worn shocks that should be verified across all four corners now to prevent further premature tyre.