2016 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · AX16 LVW

The 2016 Ford Fiesta’s most recent MOT tests, conducted on 3 June 2025 at 80,662 miles, reveal a concerning pattern of repeated failures despite no defects being recorded. This anomaly—two consecutive tests on the same date with identical mileage—suggests either a clerical error in the DVSA system or, more critically, that the vehicle was not roadworthy at the time of testing. The absence of any advisories or defects in prior tests (including the 2024 and 2023 passes at 73,221 and 65,069 miles respectively) implies that the failure was likely procedural rather than mechanical, though this does not negate the need for thorough verification. The lack of recurring faults in the record does not guarantee current reliability, but the irregularity of the 2025 tests warrants immediate scrutiny of the vehicle’s service history and underlying mechanical condition. The recorded mileage of 80,662 miles over a decade aligns with typical usage patterns for this model, averaging around 8,066 miles annually. However, the abrupt doubling of mileage between the 2023 (65,069 miles) and 2024 (73,221 miles) tests suggests a period of either intensive use or a lapse in mileage recording. The subsequent 7,441 miles between the 2024 and 2025 tests, followed by no additional mileage accumulation before the 2025 failures, raises questions about whether the vehicle was actively driven or stood unused. This inconsistency complicates assessing wear patterns, particularly for components like suspension bushes and coil springs, which degrade predictably with mileage but may also suffer from prolonged static loading. Given the lack of documented defects in prior MOTs, the most critical areas for a prospective buyer to inspect independently are the suspension geometry, brake caliper binding, and structural integrity of the chassis and subframe. The repeated failures in 2025, despite no recorded issues, could indicate underlying problems such as misaligned or worn suspension components, which might not have been detected during the test due to procedural oversights. Corrosion around wheel arches, sills, and the subframe—common in Fiestas—should be examined closely, as should the condition of brake discs and pads, particularly if the vehicle was driven heavily in the period leading up to the 2024 test. The absence of advisories does not preclude the need for a professional inspection of the exhaust system, as catalytic converter or manifold failures often go undetected until they trigger a fail-safe mode or emissions test failure.