2010 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · BJ60 EZR

The most recent DVSA examination on 14 March 2025 resulted in a Pass, albeit accompanied by four advisories and a prior same-day failure that was subsequently rectified. The earlier failure items consisted of a non-functioning nearside headlamp on dipped beam and an inoperative offside stop lamp, both of which are typical electrical contact or bulb failures on a vehicle of this age and were likely the catalyst for the retest pass. Across the documented history, the maintenance trend shows mild deterioration rather than acute decline; the 2022 test failure included more serious Major defects such as excessive play in the offside front track rod end ball joint and excessively fluctuating front brake performance, both of which point to steering and braking components that have since been addressed. The 2025 advisories, while not pass-fail items, are nonetheless the more significant indicators of the vehicle's current wear profile and will be examined in greater detail below. The recorded mileage of 100,140 against a 2010 registration equates to approximately 6,259 miles per annum, which is broadly typical for a small family hatchback of this vintage but sits at the lower end of the usage spectrum. The MOT records themselves are sporadic, with tests logged in late 2021, late 2022, and early 2024 and 2025, suggesting either annual testing clustered in winter months or intermittent use that may involve periods of standing. Lower annual mileage on an ageing Fiesta of sixteen years can mask time-related degradation rather than wear-related degradation, making calendar-based deterioration of fluids, rubbers, and electrical items just as relevant as mechanical wear from accumulated miles. The advisories on the 2025 test merit direct inspection before purchase. The minor exhaust gas leak should be located physically; a cold-start listen for ticking or hissing around the manifold gasket, downpipe, or back box joints will help pinpoint the source, and any pungent smell inside the cabin should be treated as urgent. Both front tyres were flagged as worn close to the legal limit on the edges with cracking present, which is consistent with the front-end alignment having been disturbed after the track rod end replacement; uneven shoulder wear typically indicates camber or toe misalignment, so request evidence of a four-wheel alignment check post the steering repair and budget for a matched pair of quality replacement tyres immediately. The front brake discs being pitted or scored usually indicates prolonged light use combined with infrequent heavy braking, allowing corrosion to develop on the disc surface; on a test drive expect to feel brake shudder or vibration through the steering wheel under firm application, and listen for any grinding or scraping that would suggest the discs have worn beyond their service limit. The corroded but not seriously weakened front sub-frame is an age-related observation typical of a sixteen-year-old car exposed to winter road salt, and warrants a thorough visual inspection from beneath the vehicle with a torch to confirm the corrosion is purely surface scale rather than structural thinning of the box section. Beyond the recorded defects, several age-appropriate checks should be undertaken given the vehicle's calendar age and modest annual mileage. Tyre sidewalls should be examined for perishing and Ozone cracking regardless of tread depth, as rubber compounds harden with time and can fail suddenly on a six-year-old or older tyre, even one with ample tread remaining. With low annual mileage the 12V battery is highly likely to be a candidate for replacement; verify its age stamp and ask for evidence of recent charging or replacement, as a marginal battery will produce starting hesitation and random electrical glitches. Brake calipers, particularly the rear drum or sliding calipers, can seize from infrequent use, so on the test drive listen for binding or a dragging sensation after the brakes have been released. The cooling system, brake fluid, and transmission oil all degrade by time rather than solely by mileage, so confirm the service book shows recent fluid changes rather than just engine oil replacements. Finally, the swivel pin and bush wear noted in 2021 on the nearside rear axle should be re-checked, as such wear progresses gradually and contributes to rear-end instability and uneven tyre wear if left unaddressed.