2016 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · DA66 RTX

The 2016 Ford Fiesta presents a mixed maintenance picture. The most recent MOT, conducted on 23 September 2025 at 56,592 miles, passed with only a minor advisory for slightly worn rear axle swivel pins and bushes. This is a marked improvement over the preceding test just one day earlier on 22 September 2025 at 56,582 miles, which saw a failure for four significant defects including a fractured rear coil spring on both sides, a worn lower suspension arm ball joint, critically thin front brake pads, and a non-functioning stop lamp. The immediate retest pass suggests these items were rectified promptly, indicating reactive rather than proactive maintenance. The trend is therefore currently stable but shows a pattern of sudden component failures rather than gradual wear management. The mileage accumulation is notably low. Over roughly ten years, the vehicle has covered 56,592 miles, averaging approximately 5,659 miles per year. The interval between the November 2022 test at 30,860 miles and the December 2023 test at 38,310 miles shows a jump of 7,450 miles in just over twelve months, which is the heaviest use period recorded. Critically, the vehicle then covered only 18,282 miles between December 2023 and September 2025, a span of nearly two years, suggesting prolonged periods of light use or standing. Such irregular usage patterns can cause its own issues, including brake disc surface corrosion from lack of use, tyre flat-spotting, and dried-out rubber bushes. A buyer should focus their physical inspection on the rear suspension components given the history of fractured coil springs and worn axle bushes. Check both rear coil springs closely for any signs of cracking or corrosion at the mounting points, and assess the condition of the rear axle swivel pins and bushes for play. The front lower suspension arm ball joint was flagged as excessively worn in September 2025, so inspect the rubber boot for splits and check for any knocking or movement. Examine the front brake discs and pads for uneven wear or lipping, as the previous failure indicated pads worn below 1.5 mm, suggesting the braking system may have been neglected before the recent repair. Finally, verify all stop lamps function correctly, including the high-level rear unit, given the earlier failure.