2017 Ford Fiesta 1.0L Petrol · CV67 VLO

The 2017 Ford Fiesta’s most recent MOT, conducted just over a year ago on 20 June 2025, reflects a vehicle that passed with no defects recorded—though this followed a failure just three days earlier on 17 June 2025. The trend over the past three tests is concerning: the rear axle swivel pins and bushes were flagged as "slightly worn" in both the 2024 and 2025 failures, with the 2025 entry explicitly noting they were "starting to perish." Front brake discs were also repeatedly cited as worn, pitted, or corroded, while the offside front brake exhibited fluctuating performance in the 2025 failure. These recurring issues suggest a pattern of deferred maintenance rather than isolated incidents, with suspension and braking components showing progressive wear. The most recent pass does not address these underlying problems, and the absence of advisories in the June 2025 test implies the tester may have overlooked critical wear—particularly in the rear suspension—despite the earlier failures. The vehicle’s mileage of 23,724 miles at the latest test is unusually low for a nine-year-old car, averaging just 2,636 miles annually. This suggests either very light use or prolonged periods of inactivity, which can accelerate certain forms of degradation, such as rubber perishing in suspension bushes or corrosion in brake components. The gap between tests—particularly the 15-month interval between November 2023 and June 2025—further raises questions about whether the vehicle was driven regularly enough to maintain fluidity in suspension systems or to prevent brake corrosion. The 2022 to 2023 period saw a modest increase in mileage (from 19,222 to 21,314), but the subsequent two years show almost no additional usage, which could explain the accelerated wear in critical areas like the rear axle bushes and brake discs. A buyer should prioritise a thorough inspection of the rear suspension, particularly the swivel pins and bushes, which the MOT history repeatedly flagged as compromised. The perishing noted in the 2024 test suggests these components may now be beyond their serviceable life, risking binding or failure. Front brake discs should be examined for uneven wear, scoring, or corrosion, with attention to the offside caliper, which previously exhibited fluctuating braking performance. Tyres, while legally compliant at the last test, should be checked for edge wear or uneven tread, as this was a recurring issue. Structural integrity of the rear axle and chassis should also be assessed for signs of rust or misalignment, given the prolonged periods of low mileage. The registration plate’s deterioration, while not safety-critical, indicates neglect in basic maintenance.