2010 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · DP10 SKZ

This 2010 Ford Fiesta presents a confusing and somewhat concerning MOT narrative, largely because both the failures and passes across its recorded history show no defects or advisories. The most recent test on 03 March 2026 was a pass with a clean record, but it came immediately after a failure on 25 February 2026 which is also listed without any defect details. A similar pattern appears in October 2023, where a pass and a failure were recorded on the same date with no reasons logged. This suggests the earlier failures were either administrative refusals, refusals related to items not recorded, or situations where the vehicle was presented in a condition that warranted a refusal certificate but the tester did not formally record specific defect categories. From a buyer's perspective, this is an unsatisfactory position because the historical record offers no visibility into the actual mechanical or structural issues that triggered those refusals, and any prospective purchaser should clarify directly with the supplying garage or previous owner what remedial work was carried out between those failed and passed tests. Mileage on this Fiesta stands at 95,409 recorded miles over approximately sixteen years, equating to an average annual accumulation of just under 6,000 miles, which is notably low for a vehicle of this age and class. Fords of this generation are typically used as high-mileage commuter cars, often covering well over 10,000 miles annually, so this usage profile is unusually light. Lower annual mileage can be a positive indicator in terms of overall wear on major drivetrain components such as the engine, clutch, and gearbox, but it can also point to extended periods of standing or only short, irregular journeys. Where vehicles have spent significant time stationary, particular attention should be paid to underbody corrosion, brake disc surface pitting, and any deterioration of rubber and plastic components such as coolant hoses, drive belt rubber, suspension bushes, and brake flexihose integrity, as these can harden and crack with age irrespective of mileage. Given the absence of any advisories or defect entries across the recorded tests, a prospective buyer has limited component-specific guidance from the MOT history itself, which means the focus of any pre-purchase inspection must shift to a thorough physical and dynamic assessment. On a test drive, listen carefully for any clonking or knocking from the front suspension over uneven roads, as the Fiesta's front lower wishbones, track control arm inner bushes, and front strut top mounts are known wear points on this generation, particularly where the vehicle has faced kerbing or pothole damage. Steering should remain precise with no vibration through the wheel at speed and no pulling to either side under braking or acceleration. The brakes should feel firm and progressive without any juddering pedal feedback, which would indicate warped front discs often associated with corrosion pitting from light or irregular use. Check that the handbrake holds the vehicle securely on an incline, as rear drum brake mechanisms on these models can seize or become out of adjustment with age. Underneath the vehicle, an inspection on a ramp is strongly advised to look for any surface rust on the front subframe, suspension arms, and brake pipes, given that corrosion in these areas is a common reason for Fiesta test failures once the cars pass ten years of age. Inspect the exhaust system from the manifold rearwards for any signs of blow, corrosion holes, or insecure mounting rubbers, as replacement exhausts on this model are a frequent maintenance item. Engine bay checks should include looking for any oil seepage from the cam cover or sump gasket, condition of the coolant and brake fluid reservoirs, and ensuring the auxiliary drive belt shows no glazing or cracking. Finally, because of the unusually low recorded mileage, it is worth confirming the MOT test history mileage readings with the seller, checking for any gaps in the V5C registration history, and reviewing whether the vehicle has had extended periods off the road, as a sixteen-year-old car showing only 95,000 miles warrants additional verification to ensure the odometer reading is genuine and continuous.