2020 Ford Fiesta 1.5L Petrol · A20 XAP

Front tyre wear dominates the mechanical profile of this 2020 Ford Fiesta, and it is a theme that has now escalated from advisory to dangerous failure. The most recent test on 28 February 2026 was recorded as a clean pass with no defects, but the prior test on 23 April 2025 failed outright on dangerous grounds for both nearside and offside front tyres recording tread below the 1.6 mm legal minimum. That same date also carries a pass and an advisory noting an undertray fitted, which can mask corrosion on underlying structural components. An earlier advisory from 22 June 2024 flagged the nearside front tyre as worn close to the legal limit and worn on the edge, demonstrating that the front axle has been shedding tread progressively over at least two MOT cycles rather than as an isolated event. The 2023 test was a straightforward pass, so the trajectory shows deterioration developing between 2023 and 2024 and culminating in a dangerous failure by April 2025 before the February 2026 pass on fresh rubber. Recorded mileage stands at 43,724 miles across approximately six years, which equates to an annual accumulation of around 7,287 miles per year. This is broadly typical for a car of this age and suggests consistent rather than sporadic use, with no multi-year gaps in testing that would indicate long periods off the road. There are no unusual mileage jumps between successive tests that would suggest a clocked history or a sudden change in usage pattern. Regular accumulation of this nature normally results in steady wear across consumables such as brake pads, discs, tyres, and suspension bushes, rather than the corrosion and deterioration associated with low-mileage storage. For a prospective buyer, the primary concern must remain the front axle geometry and the components surrounding the front tyres. The repeated advisories for inner or edge wear on the nearside front, culminating in both front tyres being below legal tread at the same test, point to either an alignment issue, worn suspension components such as wishbone bushes, track rod ends, or anti-roll bar links, or simply a pattern of fitting budget tyres that wear prematurely on the edges. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, and feel for vagueness, wandering, or a pulling drift in the steering that would indicate worn linkages. Inspect the inner and outer edges of the front tyres for uneven feathering or stepped wear, and check that the steering returns crisply to centre after cornering. Because the failed test referenced both front tyres simultaneously, it is reasonable to ask when the tyres were last replaced and to verify matching brand, size, and tread depth across the axle. Secondary inspection points should focus on the items the record does not flag but that commonly affect a Fiesta of this mileage and age. Check the rear brake drums or discs for binding or judder, as caliper slide pins and rear drum adjusters are known wear items on this platform, and feel for any vibration through the steering wheel under light braking. Examine the underbody and suspension subframes for surface corrosion, particularly given the undertray advisory which can trap moisture and mask rust on the subframe, sill seams, and rear axle. Inspect the coolant expansion tank, oil filler cap, and around the engine cam cover for signs of misting or weeping that would indicate ageing gaskets. Finally, confirm the service history independently, as the MOT record alone cannot verify intervals for items such as timing belt replacement, clutch wear, or brake fluid renewal, all of which are relevant at this mileage for a six-year-old vehicle.