2011 Ford Fiesta 1.4L Petrol · CF11 KUP

A pattern of repeated advisories centred on the front braking and suspension components has defined this Ford Fiesta's MOT record, even though every test since 2021 has resulted in a pass. The most recent examination on 20 November 2025 was clean with no advisories logged, which represents the strongest result in the recorded history. However, the preceding four tests each carried multiple advisories pointing to front brake disc wear, oil leaks, and in earlier years front shock absorber misting and binding brake calipers. The cluster of front-end items appearing year after year suggests these are chronic wear points rather than isolated incidents, and a prospective buyer should treat the clean 2025 result as a snapshot rather than confirmation that underlying issues have been resolved. Across roughly fifteen years the vehicle has accumulated 49,272 recorded miles, which works out at around 3,285 miles annually. That is a low annual figure for a car of this age and points to either genuinely light usage or extended periods off the road. Low annual mileage reduces wear on major drivetrain components but brings its own considerations, particularly for rubber seals, brake discs, and suspension bushes that can deteriorate through lack of use as well as through mileage. The MOT history shows continuous annual testing from 2021 through 2025 with no gaps, indicating the car has been in regular use during that window, although no tests are recorded before 2021 which limits visibility of earlier usage patterns. The front brake discs have been flagged for pitting and scoring on both sides across three consecutive tests in 2021, 2022, and 2023, and the front brake binding advisory from 2023 suggests the caliper sliders may be sticking when the brakes are applied cold. On a test drive, listen for any grinding or scraping from the front wheels on light application, and feel for the car pulling to one side under braking, which would indicate uneven caliper operation. The front discs should be inspected for a pronounced lip on the outer edge and for any blueing of the surface from overheating, both of which would suggest the discs are nearing replacement even though they have not yet been flagged as a failure item. Given that scoring advisories were issued in three successive years, a check of current disc thickness against the manufacturer minimum is worthwhile before purchase. The persistent oil leak advisory recorded in both 2023 and 2024, combined with the light oil misting on the offside front shock absorber noted in 2024, points to attention needed around the sealing of the engine and front suspension. On inspection, look for fresh oil residue on the offside front strut body, on the engine block near the crankshaft or camshaft seals, and underneath the car on the subframe and crossmember where oil can collect and mask emerging corrosion. The 2021 advisory noted surface corrosion on the underside, and although this was not repeated in subsequent tests, it warrants a close look at the subframe mounting points, brake and fuel pipe runs, and suspension arms for any progression. The 2024 advisory of rust forming on the inside faces of the front discs further supports the low-mileage corrosion pattern, so a thorough inspection underneath on a ramp, rather than just from the kerb, is advisable to confirm the structural condition remains sound.