2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5L Diesel · DF66 YNY

The vehicle successfully passed its most recent MOT test on 8 January 2026, though it did so with an advisory note regarding perished rear axle bushes. Looking at the broader history, the maintenance trend appears to be declining or neglected. After consecutive clean passes in 2023 and 2024, the vehicle suffered a major failure in January 2025 due to an inoperative stop lamp and excessive exhaust emissions, alongside an advisory for slightly perished rear axle bushes. While the emissions and lighting issues were rectified to secure a pass, the rear axle bush advisory was ignored and has now deteriorated from slightly perished to fully perished in the latest test, indicating a reactive rather than proactive approach to mechanical upkeep. With a recorded mileage of 48,880 miles over approximately nine years, the vehicle has averaged roughly 5,431 miles per year. This is significantly below the UK national average and suggests a usage profile dominated by short, local trips or prolonged periods of inactivity. Mechanically, low annual mileage of this nature can prevent the engine and exhaust system from reaching and maintaining their optimal operating temperatures. This often results in moisture accumulation in the engine oil, accelerated carbon deposit build-up within the intake and combustion chambers, and increased soot loading in the exhaust system, which likely contributed to the emissions failure recorded in 2025. The most pressing mechanical concern for a prospective buyer is the perished rear axle bushes, which have now been flagged on two consecutive MOT cycles. These rubber components are critical for isolating road noise and maintaining rear suspension alignment; when they perish, the rubber splits and degrades, leading to metal-on-metal contact. On a test drive, the buyer should pay close attention to any knocking, clunking, or creaking noises emanating from the rear suspension when driving over speed bumps or uneven road surfaces. Additionally, degraded bushes can compromise handling, causing the rear of the vehicle to feel loose or unstable during cornering, and can lead to accelerated, uneven wear on the inner edges of the rear tyres. Given the vehicle's age and low-mileage profile, several other physical checks are highly recommended during inspection. The buyer should examine the tyre sidewalls and tread grooves for signs of cracking or perishing, as tyres can become unsafe through age-related degradation long before the tread wears down. The brake discs should be inspected for heavy corrosion, pitting, or lip wear, and the buyer should feel for any brake shudder or pulling under braking, which would indicate binding calipers or warped discs from standing. Finally, the buyer must verify that calendar-based servicing has been performed, specifically checking for timely brake fluid and coolant changes, and ensure the 12V battery is holding a healthy charge, as infrequent use is notoriously detrimental to battery longevity.