2012 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · YY12 HDD

The vehicle passed its most recent MOT on 21 November 2025, though it did so with three advisories. Looking at the broader history, the maintenance trend suggests a gradual increase in wear across the front-end components. While the vehicle has a consistent record of passing, the recurrence of steering and suspension advisories over the last few years indicates that the front-end assembly is now entering a phase of required renewal. With 79,208 miles recorded over approximately 14 years, the vehicle has averaged roughly 5,658 miles per year. This is significantly lower than the typical UK annual average. While this low mileage is generally positive for the internal health of the engine and drivetrain, it introduces specific risks associated with under-use, such as the degradation of rubber seals, the perishing of tyres, and the potential for brake components to seize due to inactivity. The MOT records highlight a persistent pattern of wear in the front suspension and steering geometry. The latest advisory for a track rod end, combined with previous notes regarding the suspension arm ball joint and anti-roll bar linkage, suggests that the front-end bushings and joints are worn. During a test drive, the buyer should listen for knocking or clunking sounds when traversing uneven road surfaces or during low-speed manoeuvring. Furthermore, the repeated advisories regarding tyres worn on the edges and previously distorted wheels suggest a potential wheel alignment issue or a history of curb impacts, which can lead to unstable handling and accelerated tyre wear. Given the vehicle's age and low annual usage, a thorough physical inspection is essential to identify time-based degradation. The buyer should examine the tyre sidewalls for fine cracking or perishing, as tyres can lose structural integrity over time even if the tread remains legal. It is also critical to check the brake discs for heavy surface corrosion and ensure the calipers are not binding. Finally, the service history must be verified to ensure that engine oil and other vital fluids have been changed based on the manufacturer's calendar intervals rather than mileage alone, and the 12V battery should be tested for health, as low-use vehicles are prone to premature battery failure.