2016 Ford Fiesta 1.5L Diesel · BP65 AEC

A recurring theme of rear suspension and exhaust advisories, combined with an anti-roll bar ball joint failure in early 2023, defines the mechanical history of this 2016 Ford Fiesta. While the two most recent tests on 26 July 2025 and 7 August 2026 returned clean passes with no recorded defects, this strong recent roadworthiness masks a previously identified pattern of wear on the rear axle swivel pins and bushes. These components were first flagged as slightly worn at the 11 January 2023 test and remained present as advisories at the immediately preceding failure just a week before, suggesting the wear had been developing over time rather than appearing spontaneously. Additionally, an exhaust gas leak at the rear box was noted alongside the suspension advisories in 2023, and a nearside front anti-roll bar ball joint was deemed excessively worn at that same point, requiring rectification for the vehicle to pass. An earlier stop lamp failure in December 2021 was a straightforward electrical defect, but the rear suspension and underbody wear points to ongoing attention needed to the vehicle's underpinnings as mileage accumulates. With 116,544 miles recorded against an approximate ten-year lifespan, this Fiesta has covered around 11,654 miles annually, which sits broadly in line with typical usage for a vehicle of its age and class. The recorded test entries do not reveal any extended periods off the road, though there is a gap between the January 2021 and January 2023 tests, during which the annual mileage accumulation appears consistent with steady everyday use rather than a lay-up. At this mileage, consumable wear on braking components, tyres, and suspension linkages is expected, and the recorded advisories align with the kind of progressive wear normally seen on a high-mileage supermini. The fact that the most recent two tests have been defect-free indicates that the previously identified wear items were either rectified or have not yet progressed to the level of an advisory or failure, though the underlying components remain areas of future attention given their history. For a prospective buyer, a targeted inspection of the rear axle area is warranted, particularly the swivel pins and bushes which were noted as slightly worn in 2023. On a test drive, listen for any knocking or clonking noises from the rear suspension over uneven road surfaces, and pay attention to whether the rear end feels loose or imprecise during direction changes. The anti-roll bar ball joints, both front and rear, should be physically checked for any play or rattling, as the nearside front joint was once deemed excessively worn and the offside was showing slight play. Any clonking over bumps, particularly from the front end during cornering or over speed humps, would suggest further deterioration of these linkages. The exhaust system warrants a physical inspection from underneath, listening for any ticking or hissing sounds indicative of a leaking joint or blowing gasket, particularly around the rear box section which previously showed a minor gas leak. Braking performance should be evaluated for any pulling to one side, which could indicate binding calipers or uneven pad wear, while the pedal itself should feel firm without excessive travel or sponginess. Finally, although not recorded as a defect in the most recent tests, given the vehicle's mileage and age, a general check for surface corrosion on underbody components, brake pipes, and the subframe mounting points is advisable, ensuring no structural deterioration has begun to compromise the vehicle's long-term roadworthiness.