2013 Ford Fiesta 1.6L Petrol · AV13 SVL

A clear pattern of chronic rear axle and underbody wear emerges from this Fiestas MOT record, with corrosion, brake wear, and suspension bush deterioration appearing across multiple tests. The most recent examination on 18 September 2025 produced both a Pass and a Fail on the same date, the failure attributable solely to a nearside front headlamp aim being too low, a straightforward adjustment item. Beneath that single rectification, the advisory list is substantial: rear coil springs showing slight corrosion, a front subframe with very slight surface corrosion, rear inner brake pads thinning on both sides, and rear axle bushes exhibiting wear though not yet at the threshold of excessive movement. These advisories mirror findings from earlier tests, notably April 2025 which flagged rear inner brake pad wear, pitted rear brake discs, and an offside rear coil spring corroded at its base, indicating that underbody and rear braking components have been on a gradual decline rather than improving year on year. Recorded mileage stands at 109,682 miles across thirteen years, giving an average annual accumulation of approximately 8,437 miles, broadly consistent with typical commuter usage for a vehicle of this age. Seven MOT tests appear in the record from 2021 through 2025, with no multi-year gaps that would suggest extended periods off the road. The mileage progression implies steady use, which mechanically means continued wear on consumables and chassis components but no red flags relating to long-term standing such as seized callipers, perished rubber, or drained battery issues. The two failures recorded, the headlamp aim in 2025 and a brake disc plus stop lamp issue in March 2023, were both rectified at the time of test rather than reflecting systemic faults. For a prospective buyer, the underfloor inspection should be prioritised given the recurring advisories on coil spring corrosion and subframe surface corrosion. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the rear axle over speed humps and uneven surfaces, as worn rear axle bushes can produce audible thuds and a slight vagueness in rear suspension response. The brake pedal should be tested for firmness and any judder under moderate to firm application, since pitted rear discs flagged in both 2024 and 2025 advisories can produce vibration through the pedal and a pulsing sensation, while thinning rear inner pads mean a thorough check of remaining friction material thickness is warranted before purchase. The front suspension should be examined for any looseness or knocking from the front subframe area, particularly where the very slight surface corrosion has been recorded, as this can progress in older vehicles. Headlamp alignment should be checked against a flat wall at night or in a garage to confirm both beams sit within the legal tolerance band following the recent failure. Front tyre inner edge wear, noted in 2023 on both sides, may point to historical alignment geometry issues, so verify that the tracking has been corrected and that current front tyres are wearing evenly across the tread. Finally, inspect both rear tyres closely for sidewall cracking or perishing, a recurring advisory across nearly every test since 2021, and replace them if any daylight-visible cracks are present regardless of remaining tread depth.