2017 Ford Fiesta 1.0L Petrol · AV17 LRK

The recorded MOT history for this 2017 Ford Fiesta presents a broadly reassuring mechanical picture, with three consecutive passes and one failed attempt that yielded no defect entries, an outcome that can occur when a vehicle is presented for test before all repairs are complete or a retest is scheduled immediately. The most recent assessment on 2026-02-04 resulted in a failure but, crucially, no advisories or specific component failures were logged by the testing station. The earlier tests dated 2023-03-21, 2024-02-09, and 2025-02-06 all passed cleanly with no recorded defects or advisories of any kind, which suggests the vehicle has not been exhibiting the typical wear-related issues one might expect from a Fiesta of this age, such as corrosion around the rear axle, suspension bush deterioration, or exhaust component degradation. The absence of any advisory history is notable, as older Fiestas frequently attract notes for items like front brake disc wear, tyre tread nearing the legal limit, or minor oil seepage from the engine or gearbox. This clean record across multiple tests indicates a vehicle that has either been conscientiously maintained prior to each annual test or has not yet reached the mileage threshold where common Mk7/Mk8 Fiesta component wear becomes evident at MOT level. With 70,393 miles recorded over approximately nine years of service, the Fiesta has accumulated around 7,821 miles annually, placing it squarely within the expected usage range for a car of this vintage and likely driven as a daily commuter or mixed-use vehicle. There are no obvious gaps in the testing record that would suggest extended periods off the road, and the consistent year-on-year attendance at MOT stations indicates regular use rather than long-term storage. This mileage profile is mechanically significant because, at roughly 78,000 miles, the vehicle is approaching the territory where Mk7 Fiesta clutch components, dual-mass flywheels (on diesel variants), water pumps, and timing chain tensioners begin to show fatigue, though this particular example appears to be petrol-powered based on the test history showing no emissions-related advisories. The steady accumulation rate also means consumables such as brake pads, discs, tyres, and suspension components have experienced normal working life rather than the accelerated wear associated with high-mileage use. For a prospective buyer, the absence of any historical advisories makes a targeted pre-purchase inspection particularly important, as there is no specific component flagged in the MOT record to focus on. A thorough test drive should therefore concentrate on the areas most likely to be approaching service requirement at this mileage. Listen for any clonks or knocking from the front suspension over speed humps or uneven road surfaces, which would indicate worn anti-roll bar bushes, drop links, or lower wishbone components. The Fiesta is known for premature rear axle bush wear, so any looseness or vagueness through tight corners at speed warrants scrutiny. Brake pedal feel should be firm and progressive; any judder under braking suggests disc warping, while a soft or spongy pedal may indicate perished rear brake flexihoses, even though no such defect has yet been recorded. On the test drive, pay particular attention to clutch bite point and smoothness, as a slipping clutch or juddering engagement at around 70,000 miles would be consistent with the typical service interval for this component. Mechanically, the engine should start promptly from cold without excessive smoke, though brief wisps of condensation vapour are acceptable. Listen for any timing chain rattle on initial startup from cold, as the 1.0 EcoBoost and 1.25 Duratec units fitted to this generation can develop tensioner wear at higher mileages. Inspect the underside of the vehicle for any signs of fluid seepage, particularly from the engine sump gasket, gearbox, or power steering rack, as the steering rack is a known failure point on Mk7 Fiestas and can produce fluid loss without necessarily triggering an MOT failure unless the level drops critically. Given that the most recent test was a fail with no defects recorded, it is essential to establish the reason for that outcome directly with the seller, whether it was a documentation issue, a retest scenario, or a rectification completed immediately after the test. Request the current MOT certificate and any repair invoices to confirm the vehicle's present roadworthy status, and consider an independent pre-purchase inspection to provide the same level of scrutiny that the clean advisory history would otherwise guarantee.