2013 Ford Fiesta 1.6L Diesel · AF13 OAW

A pattern of recurring advisory items centred on the front suspension, braking system and front tyres emerges across the seven recorded tests, suggesting a car that passes the roadworthiness threshold each year but consistently accumulates minor wear issues at the front axle. The most recent test on 9 February 2026 recorded a Minor defect for severely deteriorated front suspension arm ball joint dust covers on both sides, accompanied by advisories for thinning front brake discs, wearing-thin front brake pads and front service brakes binding slightly on both sides. Earlier tests reinforce this trend: January 2023 flagged slight play in the nearside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint and a nearside front tyre worn on edge, while January 2024 noted both front tyres as worn close to the legal limit and worn on edge. A single failure in January 2021, caused by an incorrect nearside headlamp beam image and a deep nearside rear tyre cut, was rectified before the pass two days later, and no further failures have occurred. The 2025 test stands out as the only completely clean entry in an otherwise consistent pattern of front-end wear advisories. With 87,949 miles accumulated over roughly thirteen years, this Fiesta averages around 6,765 miles annually, which is broadly typical for a car of its age and keeps the record consistent with expected wear rates. There are no significant gaps between tests, with annual MOTs recorded every year from 2020 through 2026, indicating the vehicle has remained in regular use throughout this period. Mileage progression between tests appears steady, which supports the view that the component wear observed reflects genuine accumulated use rather than prolonged standing followed by intensive running. For a front-wheel-drive supermini of this age and mileage, consistent annual use typically results in progressive wear of front tyres, front brake components and front suspension linkages, all of which aligns with the pattern in the test record. For a prospective buyer, the immediate mechanical priorities are the items flagged in the 2026 test. Both front suspension arm ball joint dust covers being severely deteriorated means the grease inside the joints is no longer sealed, accelerating wear of the ball joints themselves; on a test drive, listen for clunks or knocking from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and feel for any vagueness or rattling through the steering wheel. The thinning front brake discs combined with binding front service brakes suggest the caliper slide mechanisms may be sticking or the pads are nearing the end of their service life; expect to feel inconsistent braking response, a tendency for the car to pull to one side under braking, or a hot wheel on either side after a sustained stop. It is worth inspecting the front brake discs directly for a pronounced lip on the outer edge and checking the pads through the caliper aperture for remaining friction material. The advisories recorded across earlier tests further inform what to examine. The slight play previously noted in the nearside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint should be re-checked, as worn anti-roll bar links typically produce a dull knocking over rough roads and reduced cornering stability. Both front tyres were flagged for edge wear on two separate occasions, which on a Fiesta commonly indicates worn front suspension bushes or weak front springs allowing excessive camber movement; uneven inner or outer tyre shoulder wear on any current tyres would confirm this. The deteriorated rear exhaust box noted in 2022 should be checked for blowing noises, rattles on start-up and any visible corrosion around the rear silencer area, while the headlamp beam correction from the 2021 failure should be confirmed by checking that both dipped beams project a flat, level cut-off line against a wall. A raised inspection on a ramp would be advisable to confirm the condition of the front suspension arms, anti-roll bar linkages and brake components before purchase.