FORD FIESTA2007 · 1.4L PETROL

The Ford Fiesta holds a current MOT pass dated 24 April 2026 at 125,730 miles, yet that same day it first failed on excessive play in the offside front track rod end ball joint and a minor product on the nearside headlamp lens. The maintenance trend is worsening for front steering components. In April 2024 the tester failed the car on damaged track rod end dust covers and worn front tyres, then by April 2025 noted play in the steering rack inner joint, and now actual excessive play has materialised. Prior owners addressed only the minimum to secure certificates rather than curing the root wear. Recorded mileages show 117,940 at the April 2024 test, 121,699 by April 2025, and 125,730 by April 2026. That averages near 3,900 miles per year over the last three tests, well below the roughly 6,600 miles per annum implied by the car’s 19-year life and total odometer. The MOT history is unbroken with annual attendance, so no chronological gaps exist. Lower recent use may explain superficially modest wear but also permits corrosion to develop on static components such as the rear coil springs. A buyer must physically inspect the front steering and suspension linkage. The recurrence of track rod end and steering rack advisories from 2024 through 2026 signals impending failure of ball joints and possibly the rack itself. Rear coil spring corrosion appeared on both sides at the 2024 and 2025 tests; the springs demand close examination for pitting or fracture that could compromise ride control. The 2024 test flagged breached suspension arm ball joint dust covers, a fault that permits dirt ingress and likely harms the joints beneath. Minor items like the deteriorated registration plates and headlamp lens grime are trivial consumables easily replaced. The worn front tyres of 2024 were evidently renewed to pass. However, the persistent structural corrosion and escalating steering play reflect serious mechanical risk that previous keepers patched for each test. Budget for track rod ends, probable coil springs, and a steering rack assessment before relying on this vehicle.