2012 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · YR62 FWT

The 2012 Ford Fiesta presents a mixed maintenance picture that has deteriorated sharply in its most recent test cycle. The vehicle failed its December 2025 MOT at 69,066 miles with a cluster of serious mechanical defects, including a fractured nearside rear coil spring, excessively worn front brake discs, a leaking exhaust backbox, and a worn nearside front suspension arm ball joint. Although it passed a retest on the same day, the failure list reveals a clear worsening trend compared to the clean pass recorded in November 2023 at 60,205 miles. The recurrence of a defective nearside rear reflector across three consecutive tests, alongside persistent low coolant advisories, suggests minor but consistent neglect of basic checks. The recorded mileage of 69,066 miles over approximately 14 years equates to roughly 4,933 miles per year, which is notably low for a vehicle of this age. The MOT history shows a gap of nearly two years between the November 2023 pass at 60,205 miles and the December 2024 test at 64,328 miles, representing about 4,123 miles in that period. Mileage then appears to have stabilised, with the December 2025 test recorded at exactly 69,066 miles, the same figure shown on the current odometer reading. This plateau raises the possibility that the vehicle has seen very limited use since late 2025, or that the mileage data requires independent verification. A buyer should prioritise a thorough inspection of the front suspension and braking components. The worn suspension arm ball joint and fractured coil spring flagged in the 2025 failure point to deferred maintenance on critical structural parts, and any underlying corrosion around the spring seats or subframe warrants close examination. The significantly worn front brake discs indicate either aggressive driving or prolonged neglect of brake servicing. The exhaust backbox leak should be assessed for corrosion rather than simply a failed joint, as exhaust system deterioration on a 14-year-old vehicle often signals broader rust issues underneath. The persistent low coolant advisory across multiple tests deserves attention, as it may point to a slow leak from the radiator, heater core, or hose connections rather than simple underfilling. Tyre condition, wiper effectiveness, and all lighting components should also be checked, given the repeated minor electrical and visibility faults documented in the record.