2015 Ford Fiesta 1.5L Diesel · L44 AAT

A recurring front suspension and tyre wear pattern dominates the MOT history of this 2015 Ford Fiesta, with advisories on front ball joints, lower suspension arms, and front tyre edge wear appearing across multiple annual tests. The most recent examination on 18 June 2026 resulted in a pass, but the offside front lower suspension arm ball joint dust cover was recorded as severely deteriorated and a minor defect, while the offside front tyre was once again flagged as worn close to the legal limit on its inner edge — the same advisory noted at the failed test just three months earlier in March 2026. That earlier March 2026 failure was driven by exhaust emissions exceeding the 0.7m-1 default limit, an issue that had previously caused a failure in March 2023. Combined with the 2024 advisory for play in the offside front suspension arm ball joint and rear subframe bushes showing wear, the picture is of a vehicle with ongoing front-end wear that has yet to fully resolve. The recorded mileage of 105,658 miles across an 11-year old vehicle equates to roughly 9,605 miles per year, which sits within the expected range for a Fiesta of this age and suggests reasonably consistent use rather than long periods off the road. The MOT tests are recorded annually between 2022 and 2026 with no significant gaps, indicating the car has remained in active service throughout this period. That level of annual mileage is sufficient to drive meaningful wear in consumable components, particularly tyres, brake pads, and suspension linkages, and the record shows exactly this kind of progressive wear rather than deterioration linked to disuse or storage. For a prospective buyer, the front suspension components warrant close physical inspection. The recurring offside front lower suspension arm ball joint dust cover deterioration, combined with the slight play noted at the 2024 test, means the joint itself should be examined for any excessive movement by hand when the wheel is lifted, and the dust cover checked for splits or grease loss. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over speed bumps and uneven surfaces, and feel for vagueness or vibration through the steering wheel, which can indicate worn ball joints or deteriorating bushes. The rear subframe pin or bush wear recorded in 2024 should also be rechecked, particularly on both rear sides, by rocking the rear wheels laterally to detect any play in the mounting points. Brake components and emissions are the other priorities. The offside front brake pads were flagged as wearing thin at the March 2026 test, so a physical check of pad material thickness and disc condition on all four corners is advisable, and any judder, pulling, or grinding under braking on the test drive should be taken seriously. The two exhaust emissions failures in 2023 and 2026, both for exceeding the 0.7m-1 default limit, point to a potential issue with the catalyst, lambda sensor, or engine management, and a current emissions check or diagnostic read should be carried out to establish whether the underlying cause has been resolved. Finally, the nearside front headlamp aim faults recorded in March 2025, including an incorrectly fitted bulb and inability to test, mean the headlamp alignment, bulb type, and condition should be verified before purchase, as incorrect beam pattern will result in an immediate failure.