2010 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · CE10 SZP

A pattern of front-end suspension and steering wear is the defining mechanical theme across the recorded MOT history of this 2010 Ford Fiesta, with the most recent test on 22 October 2025 returning a clean pass only because the major failures logged the day before were rectified. Front suspension arm ball joints have been flagged as excessively worn on both the nearside (2022) and offside (2023) sides, while the nearside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint and the steering rack have carried advisories for slight play across consecutive tests in 2022 and 2024. Compounding these, the front subframe and surrounding suspension components were noted as corroded in 2024, and a dangerous front tyre tread depth failure was recorded on the same date, indicating that at least one inspection cycle saw the braking and grip envelope fall below legal limits. The recurrence of steering and suspension advisories from 2022 through 2024, interspersed with major defect failures, suggests a vehicle whose front-end geometry and rubber components are at the stage where proactive replacement is the prudent course rather than waiting for further advisories. Against a sixteen-year age, the recorded mileage of 153,862 miles equates to roughly 9,600 miles annually, which sits broadly within the expected band for a Fiesta of this vintage and indicates consistent, regular use rather than long periods of standing. There are no multi-year gaps in the MOT record between 2022 and 2025, and mileage has accumulated steadily between tests rather than in sudden jumps, so the wear pattern observed in the advisories is consistent with normal service accumulation rather than abnormal use. A higher-than-average mileage Fiesta of this age should be expected to show wear in consumables, suspension bushes, engine mounting rubbers, clutch and gearbox synchros, and exhaust mounting points, and the fact that the steering and suspension components are already presenting as worn at this odometer reading is in line with what one would anticipate for a car that has covered substantial distance. For a prospective buyer, the front subframe corrosion noted in October 2024 warrants close physical inspection, as subframe rot on a sixteen-year-old Fiesta can spread to mounting points and brake pipe clips; a lift inspection to check for flaking between the subframe and body, and to confirm the integrity of brake and fuel line clips along the chassis rail, is advisable. The recurring advisories on the steering rack suggest checking for any knocking from the rack as the wheel is turned lock to lock with the engine running, and for uneven tyre wear across the front pair, which would confirm the free play is translating into geometry instability. The front suspension arms and anti-roll bar drop links should be inspected for perished bushes, any clunking audible over speed bumps, and uneven ride height, with a focus on the nearside components that have appeared across multiple advisories. The headlamp aim and insecure headlamp issues flagged in both 2023 and 2024 indicate that the headlamp securing brackets should be checked for cracking, and the position lamp should be verified as functional with all switch positions. The dangerous tyre failure in 2024 and the seat belt anchorage strength failure in 2025 highlight two further priorities before purchase. The sill area on the nearside should be examined carefully for repair quality or corrosion, as a seat belt anchorage that has lost strength can be the result of previous accident damage or rust penetration through the inner sill, both of which require professional assessment. With an engine MIL inoperative failure recorded on the same 2025 visit, any persistent warning lights should be interrogated via diagnostic readout rather than dismissed, particularly if the seller cannot produce evidence of recent repair. Finally, given the age and mileage, a thorough road test should pay particular attention to clutch slip on inclines, any vibration through the steering wheel at speed, and the behaviour of the brakes under repeated firm application, as the Fiesta's small front discs are known to warp with age and can produce judder that is easy to miss on a short test drive.