2015 Ford Ecosport 1.5L Diesel · AM13 LOR

The most recent DVSA examination on 2 December 2025 resulted in a pass, with five advisories recorded against the vehicle. It is encouraging that no failures or dangerous defects were identified, and the advisory pattern is consistent rather than escalating. The previous test on 4 December 2024 was also a pass, though it followed a same-day failure relating to nearside front headlamp aim, which is a routine adjustment item rather than a structural or mechanical concern. Looking at the broader trend, advisories for corroded coil springs and perishing rear tyres have appeared repeatedly over the last three test cycles, indicating progressive wear that is now accumulating across the vehicle. Overall, the maintenance picture is stable but shows clear signs of an ageing car requiring incremental suspension and tyre refreshment rather than a vehicle in active deterioration. With 126,481 miles recorded over approximately eleven years, this Ecosport has covered roughly 11,500 miles annually, which is broadly typical for its age and suggests consistent use rather than long periods of standing. There are no significant gaps in the MOT record that would indicate inactivity, which reduces the risk of issues such as seized brake calipers, flat-spotted tyres, or severe surface corrosion from lack of use. The steady mileage accumulation is relevant because it places average demand on the clutch, turbo system (where applicable), and drivetrain components, and the 1.0 EcoBoost or 1.5 diesel fitted to this generation are known to be sensitive to irregular oil change intervals at this mileage. Prospective buyers should ensure the service book reflects timely fluid and filter replacements given the cumulative wear of high-mileage operation. The most consistent advisory across the MOT history concerns tyre condition at the rear axle, with perishing and edge wear flagged on multiple consecutive tests. This suggests the rear tyres may be under-inflated, the rear wheel alignment is out of specification, or the rubber compound is simply ageing and hardening from age-related degradation. On a test drive, listen for any increase in road noise from the rear and inspect both rear tyres closely for cracking in the sidewall grooves and uneven shoulder wear, replacing them in axle pairs to maintain balanced handling. Given the consistent edge wear pattern, it would be prudent to have the rear tracking checked before fitting new tyres, and to budget for a quality replacement set appropriate to the vehicle's load rating. Suspension advisories are the second recurring theme, with coil spring corrosion noted on the nearside front across three tests, the offside front on two occasions, and the nearside rear on the most recent pass. Corrosion of this nature typically begins at the spring coils closest to the road and progresses upward; once visible surface corrosion is recorded, structural failure becomes more likely within a few years, particularly given the UK's wet winter roads and the salt exposure that accelerates this process. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front or rear suspension over speed humps, uneven road surfaces, and during full lock manoeuvres, and inspect the spring pans for any signs of the spring fracturing or bottoming out under load. The Ecosport's independent rear suspension and McPherson front struts should also be checked for worn top mounts, droop links, and anti-roll bar bushes at this mileage, and the brake discs and pads should be examined for wear given that the vehicle is now well beyond 100,000 miles and likely due for attention in the near future regardless of what the MOT currently records.