2013 Ford Fiesta 1.0L Petrol · AV13 ONA

A clear picture of developing rear suspension wear emerges from this Fiestas MOT record, anchored by the most recent pass on 8 June 2026 which flagged light oil misting on both rear shock absorbers. While these were recorded as advisories rather than failures, bilateral misting at the dampers typically indicates that the gas-oil seals are beginning to harden and weep, a pattern that often progresses toward more pronounced leakage and reduced damping effectiveness within one or two further test cycles. Beneath that, the broader history shows intermittent but notable failures, including a dangerous PRS-level headlamp aim and rear fog lamp defect on 9 June 2025, and a major failure for an excessively worn offside front suspension arm ball joint on 17 June 2024. The absence of recorded defects on the intervening passes suggests the vehicle has been actively maintained, but the recurrence of suspension and lighting concerns indicates that worn consumables on this chassis should be closely scrutinised before purchase. With 117,139 miles accumulated over roughly thirteen years, this Fiesta has covered approximately 9,011 miles annually, a rate broadly consistent with regular mixed-use driving rather than short-hop urban only or motorway-dominated use. There are no significant gaps in the annual testing cadence, meaning the vehicle has not been left standing for prolonged periods, which reduces the likelihood of seized brake calipers, perished rubber components, or drained 12V battery issues associated with long lay-ups. At this mileage, however, mechanical sympathy is required: clutch, dual-mass flywheel if fitted, front brake discs and pads, and engine ancillary drive components are approaching or past their typical service life, even though none of these items have yet triggered an MOT failure. A prospective buyer should place particular emphasis on the rear suspension given the bilateral shock absorber misting advisories. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the rear over uneven surfaces, particularly over speed humps and undulating B-roads, and observe whether the body continues to oscillate more than once after pressing down on each rear wing. Push the vehicle sideways through a roundabout and feel for any instability or floatiness that suggests hydraulic damping is compromised. The front suspension also warrants close attention in light of the 2024 ball joint failure; during low-speed manoeuvres, listen for any clonking from the offside front corner when turning at full lock, and check for uneven tyre wear on the inside edge which can indicate renewed play in the wishbone or track control arm bush. Finally, the lighting system should be exercised thoroughly on a pre-purchase inspection. The 2025 headlamp aim failure was due to obviously incorrect beam projection, which on a Fiesta of this era is commonly caused by failed adjustment motors, deteriorated reflector bowls, or simply misaligned lamps following bulb replacement. Walk around the car at dusk or in a dim garage, confirm both dipped beams produce a sharp horizontal cut-off with the correct left-hand beam pattern, and verify the rear fog lamp illuminates crisply when activated. Beyond the flagged items, given the mileage a thorough inspection of the front brake discs for lipping, the clutch for slipping under load in fourth gear, and a compression check or oil analysis to assess top-end wear would all be prudent steps before committing to purchase.