2004 Ford Fiesta 1.4L Diesel · YR04 MKV

The most recent MOT test, conducted on 27 June 2025 at 87,109 miles, resulted in a pass, but only after an initial failure on the same day. The tester flagged corroded brake pipes on the offside front and rear, covered in grease or other material, along with a slightly distorted nearside front road wheel. The failure was triggered by inoperative offside front and rear position lamps and a significantly reduced offside stop lamp intensity, indicating an electrical issue that was rectified before the retest. The maintenance trend is stable but reveals a persistent undercurrent of corrosion-related advisories that have recurred across multiple test cycles. The mileage accumulation is notably low for a 20-year-old vehicle. Between the June 2022 test at 83,422 miles and the June 2025 test at 87,109 miles, the vehicle covered just 3,687 miles over three years, averaging approximately 1,229 miles annually. This is significantly below the already modest long-term average of roughly 3,960 miles per year. Such low annual use raises the possibility of prolonged stationary periods, which can accelerate rubber component deterioration and localised corrosion due to lack of heat cycling and movement through the drivetrain and suspension. The recurring pattern of corroded brake pipes, noted as covered in grease or other material in every test from 2022 through 2025, demands close physical inspection. A buyer should examine the full length of the braking system pipework, particularly at mounting points and where contamination may trap moisture. The June 2024 test also recorded corrosion on both rear coil springs and suspension component mounting areas, alongside worn and pitted front brake discs. These are not minor consumable items; they relate directly to structural integrity and braking efficiency. Any visible scaling, flaking, or pitting on the coil springs warrants replacement, as a fractured spring compromises axle alignment and handling. The slightly distorted nearside front road wheel flagged in the June 2025 test should be checked for true running and inspected for inner rim damage. Combined with the worn rear axle swivel pins and bushes noted in 2022, and the persistent suspension mounting corrosion, the front and rear suspension geometry should be verified on a four-post ramp. The repeated registration plate deterioration advisories and intermittent lamp failures suggest aged wiring connectors or degraded earth points. A thorough inspection of the rear lamp clusters, earth straps, and the vehicle's main wiring loom connectors is advisable before purchase.