2010 Ford Fiesta 1.6L Diesel · AV10 WCW

A pattern of recurring suspension wear, persistent fluid leaks, and a recent failure for emissions and exhaust integrity defines the mechanical profile of this 2010 Ford Fiesta. Across four consecutive test cycles from 2023 to 2026, advisory items have flagged front suspension arm ball joint play, rear axle beam bushes, and inner tyre wear, with these issues appearing almost identically year after year rather than being rectified. The 2025 test produced a failure for excessive exhaust smoke and mismatched aspect ratio tyres on the rear axle, while the most recent assessment in May 2026 recorded majors for an excessively worn offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint and a major exhaust gas leak from the rear silencer, before passing the following day. The latest pass still carries advisories for an oil leak, a coolant leak, a deteriorated front registration plate, and a nearside front inner tyre worn on its edge, demonstrating that the underlying issues continue to be present despite annual testing. Annual mileage accumulation averages approximately 8,179 miles over the vehicle's sixteen-year life, which is broadly consistent with typical usage for a car of this age. There are no multi-year gaps in the testing record that would suggest the vehicle was laid up, and the steady annual appearance at test stations indicates continuous operation. At 130,863 miles, the Fiesta sits in a usage bracket where consumables such as brake discs, calipers, exhaust mounting rubber, suspension bushes, and engine sealing components are expected to show progressive deterioration. The repeated fluid leak advisories across 2024, 2025, and 2026, combined with the recurring suspension advisories, align with what one would anticipate at this mileage rather than indicating any unusual wear pattern. A prospective buyer should focus a pre-purchase inspection on the specific components that have been flagged. The offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint, which was failed in May 2026, should be examined for renewed movement or knocking noises over uneven road surfaces, as these joints can deteriorate quickly once initial play is recorded. The rear axle beam bushes, advisories for which have appeared in 2024 and 2025, warrant a check for any clunking or vertical movement at the rear axle under load, and the front suspension arm ball joints should be assessed for similar looseness during a stationary wheel check. The persistent oil and coolant leak advisories warrant a thorough under-bonnet inspection for fresh residue around the engine sump, cam cover gasket, and cooling system hoses, along with verification of coolant and oil levels at the time of viewing, as chronic leaks of this nature often progress between tests. During a test drive, listen for exhaust drone or tapping from beneath the rear of the vehicle, which would confirm whether the major exhaust gas leak recorded in 2026 has been properly repaired or merely persisted. Observe steering response over bumps for any clonking or wandering, particularly from the front anti-roll bar area, and check the rear axle for any squatting or instability that would indicate worn axle beam bushes allowing excessive movement. Inspect the inner and outer edges of all four tyres for uneven wear patterns, as the recurring advisories for edge wear suggest an underlying geometry or suspension issue that has not been resolved. Finally, confirm that matching aspect ratio tyres are fitted to both sides of the rear axle, as the 2025 failure for mismatched tyres indicates a previous rectification that should be verified remains in place.