2016 Ford Fiesta 1.6L Petrol · CF16 FDP

The 2016 Ford Fiesta presents a mechanical profile marked by a series of escalating issues that culminate in a critical failure during its most recent MOT examination. The vehicle's latest test on 2024-03-14 resulted in a major failure due to a fractured offside rear coil spring (catalogue reference 5.3.1(b)(i)), which represents a substantial structural concern within the rear suspension system. This failure occurred just one month after a passing test in late February 2024, creating an urgent situation where the same chassis component was deemed unsafe enough to fail the MOT. Earlier in its history, the car accumulated minor advisories including inner and outer edge wear on both front tyres in 2022 and rusty disc surfaces across all four wheels in 2021, indicating progressive deterioration in tyre coverage and brake component integrity over time. The combination of a major suspension failure and recurrent minor warnings suggests the vehicle has not been maintained consistently throughout its ownership life, and the current state requires immediate professional diagnosis before any purchase decision is finalised. Regarding usage patterns, the recorded mileage of 53,774 miles on a ten-year-old vehicle translates to approximately 5,377 miles per annum, which is notably lower than typical daily commuter profiles and raises questions about the actual operational history of the car. While this figure does not necessarily indicate poor maintenance, the pace of accumulation is slow for a decade-old model and coincides with several diagnostic events clustered around 2023-2024 rather than showing steady incremental build-up. The testing gap between the 2024-03-14 failure and the preceding 2023-03-21 pass of two months apart is particularly telling, suggesting either intermittent use or extended periods away from the road where faults could have developed undetected. The gradual increase in reported issues—from tyre surface wear through to the catastrophic spring failure—points to a vehicle that may have suffered cumulative damage that was not fully addressed between assessments. Buyers should prioritise a comprehensive rear suspension inspection upon acquisition, paying close attention to any audible knocking or clunking sounds over bumps, especially when traversing uneven pavement or during hard braking, as these symptoms would indicate movement within the fractured coil spring assembly or compromised bushings. The previously flagged tyre wear on both front tyres, particularly at the inner and outer edges, warrants visual confirmation of tread depth uniformity and sidewall condition, as persistent uneven wear could signal misalignment or underlying suspension geometry problems. Additionally, the disc rust advisory from 2021 necessitates verification that all front and rear brake discs remain free of deep corrosion and that pad wear is within acceptable limits, as rust can accelerate wear and compromise braking performance. Given the low mileage for its age, the car may also benefit from a general condition assessment to rule out hidden water ingress or subframe corrosion that might not have manifested in the MOT reports but could become problematic with continued use.