FORD FIESTA2014 · 1.2L PETROL

The 2014 Ford Fiesta presents a borderline maintenance picture at its most recent MOT on 22 September 2025, passing at 93,527 miles but carrying unresolved wear items that suggest a pattern of deferred rather than proactive upkeep. The nearside front brake pads were noted as wearing thin again, and both front brake discs are described as worn and lipped, indicating these components have been operating near tolerance for multiple test cycles. An offside front tyre worn close to the legal limit on the inner edge points to potential alignment or suspension geometry issues that have not been corrected. The record shows a recurring advisory for a knock from the nearside front suspension, first flagged in September 2023 at 74,031 miles and again in September 2024 at 83,579 miles, where the tester could not isolate the source beyond suspecting a shock absorber or drop link. This is not a resolving fault. It has persisted across three consecutive annual tests without documented repair, which raises concern about the condition of the damper, drop link, or top mount. The mileage progression is broadly consistent with typical use for a twelve-year-old vehicle. The car covered approximately 9,548 miles between the September 2023 test at 74,031 miles and the September 2024 test at 83,579 miles, then recorded no further mileage increase by the September 2025 test, which is unusual and may indicate the vehicle has been sitting or that the 2025 reading is a recording anomaly. The jump from 74,031 to 83,579 miles in twelve months is reasonable, but the flatline at 93,527 miles for over a year warrants a direct question to the seller about usage and storage conditions. A stationary vehicle can suffer from deteriorated rubber components, seized brakes, and flat-spotted tyres that the MOT does not always capture. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front suspension and braking system. The persistent nearside knock needs a proper assessment on a lift, checking the drop link for play, the shock absorber for oil misting or bounce test failure, and the top mount bearing for deterioration. The inner edge wear on the offside front tyre is a strong indicator of excessive negative camber or a worn wishbone bush, so both front suspension arms and their bushes should be examined closely. Brake disc lipping and thin pads across both sides suggest the calipers should be checked for seized slides or sticking pistons, as uneven pad wear often originates from a caliper fault rather than simple use. The 2024 failure for a nearside front wheel rim distortion and exposed ply on the offside front tyre further indicates the car may have suffered kerb impacts or pothole damage that was addressed minimally rather than comprehensively. Beyond the front end, the rear seat belt inspection has been incomplete for at least the last two tests due to a child seat being fitted, so a buyer should verify all three rear belts retract and lock correctly. The 2023 TPMS fault was cleared but never explained, so the system should be functionally tested. Overall, this Fiesta has not been dangerously neglected, but the repeated suspension advisory and ongoing brake wear suggest the previous owner treated the MOT as a pass-or-fail exercise rather than a trigger for preventative maintenance. Budget for front suspension remediation and a full brake overhaul before relying on the car for regular use.