2016 Ford Fiesta 1.0L Petrol · AJ16 AAU

The most recent DVSA examination on 26 September 2025 resulted in a Pass, though the vehicle was presented on the same day and initially failed before being repaired. The overall maintenance trend raises legitimate concerns, as the 2025 retest still carried advisories relating to nearside front tyre wear, perished rear tyres, and a fractured exhaust flexi joint, alongside a minor CV boot defect. More importantly, the same calendar year produced a Major failure for excessive play in the nearside front track rod end ball joint, and the previous September 2024 test produced two Majors: a nearside front suspension arm ball joint excessively worn, and an offside front tyre cut deep enough to reach the ply or cords. Two Major suspension defects within a thirteen-month window, both involving ball joint wear on the front end, suggest a recurring deterioration of the steering and suspension components rather than an isolated incident, and a prospective buyer should treat the front suspension and steering geometry as requiring thorough professional appraisal. The recorded mileage of 66,348 miles on a ten-year-old vehicle equates to approximately 6,635 miles annually, which sits broadly within expected parameters for a Ford Fiesta of this generation. There are no significant gaps in the recorded MOT cadence to suggest long periods of standing, nor any indication of rapid mileage accumulation that would imply motorway commuting or fleet use. This modest annual mileage means wear items such as brake discs, pads, and clutches are unlikely to be approaching end-of-service life through usage alone, but it also means cosmetic and age-related degradation, particularly to rubber components, fluids, and underbody protection, should be the primary concern during inspection. In light of the recurring front suspension advisories and Majors, particular attention must be paid during any viewing and test drive to symptoms of worn or perished bushes and ball joints. Listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end when traversing speed humps, uneven road surfaces, or when turning at low speed, and feel for vagueness or wandering in the steering. Inspect the inner and outer edges of the front tyres for uneven wear patterns, particularly feathering or scrubbing on the inside shoulder, which would indicate geometry misalignment or worn suspension arms. Withdraw a wheel if possible to allow visual examination of the nearside and offside front suspension arms, track rod ends, drop links, and anti-roll bar bushes for perishing, cracking, or play. Given that a track rod end was replaced as recently as September 2025, a thorough geometry check should be insisted upon post-replacement to confirm the work was completed correctly, and the entire front suspension should be regarded as a near-term maintenance liability. Beyond the recorded defects, the advisories relating to perished rear tyres and the deteriorated CV boot warrant specific attention. Examine both rear tyres closely for sidewall cracking, as rubber perishing from age rather than wear is a common failure point on a ten-year-old vehicle regardless of tread depth, and check the nearside front CV boot for any grease leakage or splits that may have progressed since the MOT. The exhaust flexi joint advisory indicates a minor gas leak which, if left unattended, will worsen and may ultimately cause the vehicle to fail on emissions or noise. Additionally, given the calendar age of the vehicle rather than the mileage, a prospective buyer should verify the service history for time-based replacements including the timing belt if applicable to the variant, coolant, brake fluid, and the 12V battery, as these degrade with age irrespective of distance covered. A brake inspection for seized calipers, particularly after any periods of inactivity, and a check for underbody corrosion consistent with UK winter road conditions would also be prudent before committing to purchase.