2015 Ford Ecosport 1.0L Petrol · AF65 HFR

An emerging emissions concern defines the current mechanical picture of this 2015 Ford EcoSport. While the vehicle has accumulated six passes over the years and recorded no advisories on any test, the 2025 entry warrants careful attention. On 20 August 2025 the car failed on two major exhaust emissions items: carbon monoxide content at idle exceeding manufacturer limits, and the Lambda reading after the second fast idle falling outside the specified range. The same vehicle then passed without recorded defects just six days later on 26 August 2025, which indicates the issue was addressed immediately before the retest, but the underlying reason for those elevated readings remains a relevant point of inquiry. Emissions failures of this nature typically point toward Lambda sensor degradation, air infiltration prior to the catalytic converter, a failing catalytic converter itself, ignition timing irregularities, or vacuum leaks drawing unmetered air into the combustion process. The usage profile of this EcoSport points toward modest accumulation rather than hard service. With 60,480 miles recorded across roughly eleven years, the average works out at approximately 5,498 miles per year, which is notably low for a vehicle of this age and class. The MOT history confirms continuous annual testing from 2020 through 2025 with no gaps in the record, meaning the car has been kept on the road consistently. Annual mileage averaging around 5,000 to 6,000 miles generally results in slower wear on high-stress drivetrain components, but it can accelerate certain age-related degradations, particularly in rubber seals, flexible coolant hoses, underbody protective coatings, and brake system components that suffer from prolonged standing periods where surface corrosion develops on discs and calliper slides seize from lack of use. For a prospective buyer, the priority is verifying that the August 2025 emissions failure has been resolved properly rather than simply cleared for the retest. It would be prudent to confirm which components were replaced or serviced in that six-day window and to retain any supporting documentation. On a test drive, listen for any irregular idle behaviour, hesitation under throttle, or a illuminated emissions warning light on the dashboard, as Lambda sensors and catalytic converters on the EcoSport are known wear items beyond 60,000 miles. Given the absence of any recorded advisories, the physical inspection should focus on areas not directly examined during MOT testing, including the condition of the cambelt or timing chain service interval, the state of the cooling system, and any signs of oil leakage from the engine or transmission seams. Even with a clean advisory history, an eleven-year-old vehicle warrants a thorough pre-purchase inspection by a qualified technician to assess components that fall outside the MOT test scope. When evaluating the braking system specifically, pay attention to pedal feel during the test drive, as low annual mileage frequently leads to binding callipers or glazed brake discs that do not always generate MOT advisories until they reach measurable thresholds. Try the vehicle from cold and after several firm stops to detect any judder, pulling, or uneven retardation. Inspect the wheels for excessive brake dust accumulation on one side, which often indicates a seizing calliper, and verify that the handbrake holds firmly on an incline, as EcoSports have historically recorded rear brake adjuster wear. Finally, given the Lambda sensor and CO failure pattern, request that any diagnostic trouble codes be read with a suitable scan tool prior to purchase, as intermittent emissions faults can clear from the dashboard but remain stored within the engine management history and provide valuable insight into the current health of the fuelling and catalyst system.