2010 Ford Fiesta 1.6L Petrol · E13 PAY

The most recent DVSA examination on 20 August 2025 resulted in a pass, although the test carried a noteworthy cluster of advisories relating to the front braking system and the front road wheels. The front brake disc was noted as worn, pitted or scored though not considered seriously weakened, and both nearside and offside front wheels were recorded as slightly distorted, with the offside front tyre also flagged as worn on the inner edge and noted as flat at the time of test. Taken alongside the September 2024 pass, where both rear coil springs and the front coil spring were marked as corroded alongside a slightly damaged nearside rear tyre, the pattern suggests a vehicle that is broadly roadworthy but exhibiting progressive age-related wear, particularly around the front suspension, braking and wheel assemblies. Earlier failures for a lower suspension arm ball joint in September 2021 and exhaust lambda and rear silender leakage in September 2023, both of which were subsequently rectified, indicate a service history where issues have been addressed and re-tested rather than left to deteriorate. The recorded mileage of 69,731 miles on a 2010 vehicle equates to an average of approximately 4,358 miles per year, which is substantially below typical annual usage for a small hatchback of this type. This low annual mileage is consistent with short journeys, occasional use, or extended periods of standing, all of which carry distinct mechanical implications. Braking components, particularly the calipers, slider pins and rear drums, are prone to seizing through lack of regular use, while exhaust systems suffer accelerated corrosion from condensed moisture not being burned off during longer running. The front disc pitting noted in 2025 is a classic symptom of light, low-speed use combined with infrequent cleaning of the braking surface, and rubber components such as tyres, coolant hoses, drive belts and suspension bushes will degrade with calendar age irrespective of mileage covered. Given the recurring advisories on the front brake disc and the front wheel distortion, a prospective buyer should carry out a careful test drive paying particular attention to brake pedal feel, any vibration or shudder through the steering wheel under firm braking, and any pulling to one side that might indicate uneven disc wear or a caliper issue. The front wheels should be inspected with the tyres removed if possible to check for cracks, buckle fatigue or corrosion around the rim bead, and the inner edges of the front tyres should be examined for uneven wear indicative of alignment or suspension geometry concerns, particularly given the lower arm ball joint replacement in 2021. Listen for any clonks or knocks from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, and check the rear coil springs visually for advanced corrosion, as the 2024 advisories were issued only twelve months ago and corrosion in this area tends to progress steadily with age and exposure to road salt. Beyond the recorded defects, the age and low usage profile of this Fiesta demands close attention to components that deteriorate with time rather than mileage. Tyres older than five years from their DOT date stamp should be examined for sidewall perishing and cracking even if the tread depth appears adequate, and a 12V battery that has been standing partially discharged will have a markedly reduced service life, so its age and state of charge should be verified. Coolant, brake fluid, transmission oil and engine oil all degrade through calendar ageing and moisture absorption, so confirmation of recent fluid changes through the service book or invoice evidence is advisable. The exhaust system, given the previous rear silender leak and the vehicle's age, should be raised on a ramp and inspected for corrosion at the joints, mounting points and heat shields, while the underside should be checked generally for standing corrosion, oil leaks from the cam cover or sump, and the condition of the anti-roll bar linkage bushes, which were flagged for slight play in 2021. A full Ford service history stamp record, or equivalent specialist invoicing, would significantly strengthen buyer confidence in this particular example.