2012 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · YP12 FUB

The defining mechanical story of this 2012 Ford Fiesta centres on a rear suspension and axle assembly that has been progressively flagged across consecutive MOT tests, with the rear shock absorbers and axle bushes now showing wear patterns that warrant close inspection. At the most recent test on 19 June 2026, the vehicle passed but with advisories recorded for light oil misting on the nearside rear shock absorber and a slightly worn bush on the offside rear unit. The 2025 test revealed a more developed picture, with both rear shocks showing oil misting and both rear axle swivel pins and bushes noted as slightly worn, alongside a nearside front tyre approaching the legal limit. The 2023 test recorded oil misting on both rear shocks as well, demonstrating that this is not a one-off observation but a recurring condition. A single MOT failure occurred on 10 August 2019, due to a nearside rear registration plate lamp not illuminating with the position lamps and a dangerous offside front tyre with tread depth below the 1.6mm minimum, though the vehicle passed on the same date following remedial repairs. Between these recurring suspension and tyre observations, the 2021, 2022, and 2024 tests returned completely clean results with no advisories recorded, which demonstrates intermittent clean roadworthiness interspersed with identifiable component wear trends. With 111,909 miles recorded across approximately 14 years of use, this Fiesta has covered roughly 7,994 miles annually, which is broadly typical for its age bracket and consistent with regular daily driving rather than light secondary use or extended periods off the road. The MOT testing history shows annual tests from 2019 onwards, with no multi-year gaps that would suggest prolonged standing, which means the recorded mileage is likely a fair reflection of continuous operation. The consistent year-on-year testing pattern combined with average annual mileage indicates steady mechanical accumulation on consumable items, brake components, suspension bushes, and tyres, without the elevated wear that very high-mileage examples typically exhibit. The mileage trajectory across the recorded tests appears plausible and progressive, with no sudden jumps or anomalies that would raise concerns about clocked readings or extended periods of inactivity that could affect drivetrain seals, exhaust mounting, or brake disc corrosion. For a prospective buyer, the rear axle and shock absorber observations should be the primary focus of any pre-purchase evaluation. Listen for knocking or clonking sounds from the rear suspension when traversing speed bumps, undulating road surfaces, or during sharp low-speed manoeuvres, as worn bushes and worn shock absorber mounts typically generate audible compliance noise before they produce any deterioration in handling. On a test drive, pay particular attention to any sense of wallowing or reduced damping control over successive bumps at the rear axle, as the light oil misting already recorded on both rear shocks suggests the hydraulic damping fluid is beginning to weep past the internal seals, a condition that typically progresses and ultimately leads to replacement. Inspect the rear tyres for uneven inner or outer shoulder wear, which can indicate worn swivel pin and bush geometry allowing alignment deviation, and check the offside rear shock absorber bush specifically for any splitting, cracking, or excessive play when the wheel is unweighted. Given that nearside front tyres have been flagged as worn close to the legal limit in both 2023 and 2025, a current inspection of all four tyres including age-related perishing on the sidewalls is warranted, and budget for replacement if the existing tyres have been fitted for more than four years. The 2019 failure for a registration plate lamp and dangerous front tyre depth should be regarded as historical and resolved, but does highlight the importance of confirming all exterior lighting functions correctly during a pre-purchase walkaround.