Well we bought the Fiesta in 2008 and when we picked it up it had just had a fresh MOT the week before. Seemed good... Till I looked up the DVLA MOT History online! Turns out the MOT it had a week before we got it failed on 12 items before being fixed to get a certificate! Here's the list... (Includes advisories they didn't tell us about either!!)

Date of test:06/10/2008

Certificate issue refused (Fail)

Odometer reading:56,383 Miles

Test number:531500788292

Test station name:CAR AND VAN HIRE LIMITED

Test station number:1247B1

Test station telephone number:01224663300

Test class:IV

Reason(s) for refusal to issue Certificate

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Nearside floor Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Offside floor Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Offside outer sill at centre Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Nearside Rear outer sill Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.2)

Offside Rear outer sill Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.2)

Nearside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

Offside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

Offside Rear Coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

Offside Rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.A.7a)

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (3.7.A.10)

Advisory Notice issued

Nearside Rear inner sill Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.2)

Offside Rear inner sill Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.2)

Nearside Front floor Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.2)

Offside Front floor Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.2)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.3)

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.3)

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.3)

Nearside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated (2.5.C.1a)

Offside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated (2.5.C.1a)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.3)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.3)

Front brakes only just met the front brake imbalance requirements. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.A.2d)

What do you think ? Was it a good thing as it means it had a lot of things replaced or is it a bad thing because it needed lots done ?

The only other time it failed (before we bought it) was in 2006:

Date of test:13/10/2006

Certificate issue refused (Fail)

Odometer reading:48,103 Miles

Test number:910316486282

Test station name:I & K MOTORS

Test station number:8583BR

Test station telephone number:01467624500

Test class:IV

Reason(s) for refusal to issue Certificate

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.3)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.3)

Rear o/s Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front Brake disc(s) in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1h)

Offside Front Brake disc(s) in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1h)

No Advisory Notice issued

So ? Bad or good ?

I think its bad that come next MOT you could be paying for all those advisories :| :o

yeah, however some of the things on the list could go on for AGGESSSSS before they become fails, like years lol.

it all depends on the garage and the mood of the tester tbh, ive had cars that have had advisories one year and then they have dissapeared the year after without being fixed theres not too much you can do about it now, would worry about it when it comes to test time, however expect a largish bill if you are intent on keeping the car :) which i would if its a good runner

Well funny enough when we put it in for its MOT in 2009 all those 12 advisories went down to three! The anti-roll bar links and suspension arm play (I think, would have to get the certificate out to be sure). I doubt they got all those advisories fixed in 1 week... That garage who saw all those advisories must have just wanted lots of money! As we took it to the HIGHLAND GARAGE and they are very honest and would have said if it needed all those advisories!

Well funny enough when we put it in for its MOT in 2009 all those 12 advisories went down to three! The anti-roll bar links and suspension arm play (I think, would have to get the certificate out to be sure). I doubt they got all those advisories fixed in 1 week... That garage who saw all those advisories must have just wanted lots of money! As we took it to the HIGHLAND GARAGE and they are very honest and would have said if it needed all those advisories!

told ya :P so looks like ya got a good runner

well thats certainly a list

my biggest fear would be that most of the failures/advisories are corrosion. in my opinion if a car needs welding its not worth having as when one area goes then surely the rest will follow soon. bushes, springs and brake pipes i could deal with so they wouldnt put me up or down but cars and welding is a no no for me.

Ok here's my experiance and I hope it helps..

My Mk2 Golf that I had required welding..I could see that it did..I got it done at a 'specialist' cost 250...took it back to the garage and the promptly told me that it wasn't done 'to standard' and i would have to have it re-done. Took it to another garage and they told me that the work was a little ott but would pass, so they checked the rest of the car over..told me that if i had the mot done with them they would do it for 35 quid. I did and it passed!

My mum and her KA....hmmmm..are you ready for this...

Took it to Hendy fords near where I live for a mini service and winter check. £35 pounds..ok good offer had it done and when Mum whent to pick the car up got issued with a SIX page report!

The report contained a list and a general costing of what the work would cost (mum hadn't asked for the report)

I haven't got the report to hand so can only give you what i remeber the total price to be...£850.

The report was in three or four parts between Critical to not essential.. of that list 80 were critical! Yep the Ka is a work-horse it's done more miles and done more for the family then any car for the age it's a 52plate..but it has had sevice each year an Mot passed each year.

Took the list to our local garage (Harestock* if u would like to know) and they told Mum that out of the six page report only 3 items should be done within the year and as for the cost well that went down from £850 to less then £85! Harestock also gave Mum useful hints and tips as to how to get some of the less inportant-cosmetic issues. So you know where I take my car now!

*

-Get out of jail free thing..The views expressed in this reply are mine (Ghostdog JC) and are not the views of the Ford Owners club or anyone else for that matter.it should be noted that I have had my Foci repaired etc at Harestock and have found them to be very good..what they say they do. Also I do not work for and i'm not affilieated with them.. (I hope that I haven't broken the rules of this forum..Just wanted to give a good garage the pat on the back they deserve.-