There is no more popular car in Britain than the Ford Fiesta.
Having racked up 4.8 million sales in the UK (22 million worldwide) and topping our annual registration charts 17 times in its 47-year history, brave little Ford is the most common model in our roads today, with around 1.5 million still in use.
However, there is no other like the one currently sold by a Scottish car dealer.
The 1992 Fiesta Mk3 has traveled just 139 miles in its 32-year lifespan, which is an average of 4.3 miles per year.
Interested? If so, you’ll have to shell out £13,000 if you want it down the road.
Rarely driven Fiesta: This 1992 example of Ford’s best-selling supermini has covered just 139 miles in total and remains in impressive condition. It is now on sale for £13,000
Since Ford made the bold decision to kill off the Fiesta last summer, there has been a general expectation that the value of desirable iterations, like the XR2i, will skyrocket.
However, relatively modest and common examples are expected to not increase in value as much at the same rate.
But this unremarkable silver 1.4-litre Fiesta in top-of-the-range Ghia trim, which would have cost a dime in its 1992 registration year, is particularly special due to its incredibly low mileage.
Alan Potts, owner of Classic Ford Car Dealer Car Cave Scotlandwhich is based in Midlothian and is now offering the vehicle for sale, says the original owner used it sparingly.
The first caretaker, from Potters Bar outside London, bought it new in January 1992 and drove it until it became too ill to travel on the roads.
Having decided to stop driving, he gave the vehicle to his daughter, even though she had not passed the test.
The J-registered Ford Fiesta Mk3 has traveled an average of 4.3 miles per year since it was first registered.
Alan Potts, owner of classic Ford car dealership Car Cave Scotland, which is based in Midlothian and now offers vehicles for sale, says the original owner used it sparingly.
The first caretaker, from Potters Bar outside London, bought it new in January 1992 and drove it until it became too ill to travel on the roads. I thought he hadn’t put many miles on it before handing it over to his daughter.
Since the car had too much sentimental value to leave behind, he kept the engine in storage until 2019, when he finally sold it for a motorsport enthusiast.
In the hands of the third porter, they continued to carefully maintain the vehicle to ensure its perfect condition.
In fact, MOT records show it was last tested in 2018. At that time, the odometer showed 137 miles on the clock, meaning the new owner has probably added just 2 miles since becoming custodian.
The interior appears to be unused, with the seat covers still in place to protect the cloth seats.
The original owner’s daughter didn’t have a driving license, so he kept the engine until 2019, when he finally sold it to a motor enthusiast. In the hands of the third porter, they continued to carefully maintain the vehicle to ensure its perfect condition.
The paint on the car is almost completely flawless, except for a couple of small “very light” chips on the edge of the door and some stone chips on the hood. Even the tires are original, although they will have to be replaced after 32 years.
Potts believes the car has never been rained on and believes it is “remarkable” with all the original parts and the car’s original invoice.
He says that it would be very unlikely that a more original model of the car existed and it even still smells like a new car.
“This is an exceptional little car and quite possibly the lowest mileage Fiesta Mk3 in existence,” he explained.
‘We have the original bill of sale (costing £9,700) with the car, the original manuals, two keys, a dealer key ring, a dealer mat, the current V5 and the previous V5, showing all the owners. The car is extraordinary and has never seen rain.
‘It has all the original panels. It’s like new underneath.
‘The paint is still beautiful, with no signs of rust or wear. There are a couple of very small chips on the edge of the door and a few chips on the top of the hood while in storage. Overall, you won’t find a more original example than this one.
“Underneath you can clearly see all the PDI marks and everything is like new.”
Mr Potts adds: “The interior still smells like new.” It is impeccable as expected, with no wear on the steering wheels, pedal rubber or gear knob.
“I’m not sure if we’ll ever see another one like this.”
Mechanically, the Fiesta is as it was when it left the factory, except for a timing belt change a few years ago with just 118 miles. The engine starts, runs and drives perfectly.
The car is sold with the original manuals, two keys, a dealer key fob, a dealer mat, the current V5 and the previous V5 showing to all owners. It even comes with the original sales receipt, showing the total price of £9,700.
Priced at £12,995, it’s a high price to pay for a not very desirable car. Although the chances of a 139-mile Fiesta Mk3 appearing again are exceptionally slim
Mechanically, the Fiesta is as it was when it left the factory, except for a timing belt change a few years ago with just 118 miles.
‘Start running and drive. The brakes feel a little spongy and may need a bleed or more due to lack of use. “I suspect if anyone buys this it will be for display rather than frequent use,” the sales description reads.
Incredibly, the car still has its original tyres, although they would need to be replaced immediately if the new owner wants it to pass the MOT.
Priced at £12,995, it’s a high price to pay for a not very desirable car. Although the chances of a 139-mile Fiesta Mk3 turning up again are exceptionally slim.
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