30-year-old timewarp Ford Fiesta with 139miles could possibly be yours for £13k
- The 1992 1.4 Fiesta Ghia is believed to be least-used Mk3 example in the UK
- First keeper used it sparingly before gifting it to his daughter, who couldn’t drive
- Specialist classic Ford dealer selling it believes it has not seen rain in 32 years
There is no car that’s more popular in Britain than the Ford Fiesta.
Having amassed 4.8million sales in the UK (22million globally) and topped our annual registrations charts 17 times in its 47-year history, the plucky small Ford is the most common model on our roads today with around 1.5million still in use.
However, there isn’t another like the one being sold by a Scottish car dealership at the moment.
The 1992 Mk3 Fiesta has clocked a mere 139 miles in its 32 year lifetime – that’s an average of 4.3 miles per year.
Interested? If so, you’ll need to stump up £13,000 if you want this timewarp motor on your driveway.
Infrequently-driven Fiesta: This 1992 example of Ford’s best-selling supermini has covered a mere 139 miles in total and remains in stunning condition. It’s now up for sale for £13,000
Since Ford made the bold decision to kill off the Fiesta last summer, there’s been a general expectation for the value of desirable iterations – like the XR2i – to rocket in value.
However, relatively modest and common examples are predicted not so soar in value at the same rate.
But this run-of-the-mill silver 1.4-litre Fiesta in range-topping Ghia trim – which would have been ten a penny back in its registration year of 1992 – is particularly special due to its incredibly low mileage.
Alan Potts, owner of classic Ford car dealership Car Cave Scotland, which is based in Midlothian and now offering vehicle for sale, says it was used sparingly by the original owner.
The first keeper, from Potters Bar on the outskirts of London, bought it new in January 1992 and drove it until he became too ill to be on the roads.
Having decided to quit driving, he gifted the vehicle to his daughter – though she hadn’t passed her test.
The J-registration Ford Fiesta Mk3 has averaged 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 offering vehicle for sale, says it was used sparingly by the original owner
The first keeper, from Potters Bar on the outskirts of London, bought it new in January 1992 and drove it until he became too ill to be on the roads. Thought he didn’t put many miles on it before handing it over to his daughter
With the car having too much sentimental value to let go, she retained the motor in storage until 2019, when she eventually sold it to a motoring enthusiast.
In the third keeper’s hands, they continued to careful maintain the vehicle to guarantee its mint condition.
In fact, MOT records show it was last tested in 2018. At the time, the odometer showed 137 miles on the clock, meaning the new owner has likely added just 2 miles since becoming the custodian.
The interior looks unused, with seat covers still in place to protect the cloth seats
The daughter of the original owner didn’t have a driving licence so instead retained the motor in storage until 2019, when she eventually sold it to a motoring enthusiast. In the third keeper’s hands, they continued to careful maintain the vehicle to guarantee its mint condition
The car’s paintwork is almost totally unblemished bar a couple of ‘very light’ minor chips on the door edge and a few stone chips on the bonnet. Even the tyres are original – though will need changing after 32 years
Potts believes the car has never even seen rain and thinks it is ‘remarkable’ with all of the original parts and the original invoice for the car.
He says that it would be highly improbable that there is a more original model of the car around and it even still has that new car smell.
‘This is an exceptional little car and very possibly, the lowest mileage Mk3 Fiesta in existence,’ he explained.
‘We have the original bill of sale [which is £9,700] with the car, original handbooks, two keys, a dealer key ring, a dealer mat, the current V5 and previous V5 showing all the owners. The car is remarkable and has never seen the rain.
‘It has all the original panels. It’s as new underneath.
‘The paintwork is still lovely – no signs of rust or wear. There are a couple of very minor chips on the door edge and a few chips on top of the bonnet whilst in storage. Overall, you won’t get a more original example than this.
‘Underneath, all the PDI marks are clearly visible, and everything is like new.’
Mr Potts adds: ‘It still smells like new inside. It’s immaculate as you’d expect with no wear on steering wheels, pedal rubbers or gear knob.
‘I’m not sure if we will ever see another one like this.’
Mechanically, the Fiesta is as it was when it left the factory, apart from a timing belt change a few years ago at a mere 118 miles. The engine starts, runs and drives perfectly
The car is being sold with the original handbooks, two keys, a dealer key ring, a dealer mat, the current V5 and previous V5 showing all the owners. It even comes with the original purchase receipt, showing the total price of £9,700
Priced at £12,995, it’s a big price to pay for a not-very-desirable car. Though the chances of a 139-mile Mk3 Fiesta to come around again is exceptionally slim
Mechanically, the Fiesta is as it was when it left the factory, apart from a timing belt change a few years ago at a mere 118 miles.
‘It starts runs and drives. Brakes feel a little spongy and may need a bleed or more, due to lack of use. I suspect if someone buys this it will be an exhibit rather than used a lot,’ the sales description reads.
Incredibly, the car is still on its original tyres – though these would need changing immediately if the new owner wants it to pass an MOT.
Priced at £12,995, it’s a big price to pay for a not-very-desirable car. Though the chances of a 139-mile Mk3 Fiesta to come around again is exceptionally slim.
