2004 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · YR04 MKA

The most recent MOT, conducted on 16 December 2023 at 149,951 miles, passed, but the record reveals a maintenance trend that is stable at best and structurally concerning at worst. The vehicle failed its initial attempt on 13 December 2023 at the identical mileage due to a sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened, alongside an offside rear parking brake deficiency. Both defects were rectified within three days, yet the pass is narrow. Corrosion remains the dominant theme. All four coil springs were flagged as corroded in both 2022 and 2023, and the rear suspension component mountings, brake pipes, and sub-frame have all drawn corrosion advisories across multiple consecutive tests. The front brake discs have been worn, pitted, or scored at every test since 2021, indicating a persistent braking surface issue rather than a one-off wear event. A coolant leak appeared in the 2023 failure and was resolved before the pass, but the pattern of recurring oil leaks and corroded fuel pipes since 2021 suggests the underbody environment has been hostile for some time. The mileage progression tells a story of steady but modest use. The vehicle recorded 143,751 miles in December 2021, 146,747 miles in December 2022, and 149,951 miles by December 2023, equating to roughly 3,000 to 3,200 miles per year over that two-year window. Against a 22-year lifespan averaging approximately 6,800 miles annually, this recent activity is well below the historical norm. The mileage has not moved since the December 2023 test, meaning the car has now sat stationary for over two and a half years as of June 2026. A vehicle standing idle for that long invites its own problems, including brake seizure, fuel system degradation, tyre flat-spotting, and accelerated corrosion of exposed metal components. A buyer should approach this Fiesta with a thorough underbody inspection as the absolute priority. The sub-frame corrosion flagged as seriously weakened in the December 2023 failure is the most critical item. Even though it passed retest, the underlying structural condition of the sub-frame and its mounting points warrants a detailed inspection by a qualified mechanic, ideally on a ramp. The all-around coil spring corrosion is another red flag. Corroded coil springs can fracture without warning, causing sudden ride-height collapse. Both rear suspension mounting areas have drawn repeated advisories, and the rear axle swivel pins and bushes showed wear in the most recent test. These are not consumable items that naturally degrade with mileage alone; they point to prolonged exposure to moisture and salt without adequate protection. The braking system demands equal scrutiny. Front brake discs have been consistently worn and pitted across four consecutive annual tests, suggesting either aggressive driving, poor-quality replacement parts, or a caliper issue causing uneven wear. The corroded brake pipes, flagged repeatedly since 2021, represent a genuine safety concern as corrosion can lead to sudden hydraulic failure. The offside rear parking brake deficiency in the 2023 failure hints at a binding caliper or seized cable mechanism that may still be marginal. Tyre condition should be checked given the nearside front tyre advisory in 2023, and the extended stationary period means all four tyres should be examined for sidewall cracking and date codes. The coolant and oil leaks, while marked as not excessive, should be traced to their source, as slow seepage over time can escalate into major fluid loss, particularly after a long period of inactivity.