2010 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · DS59 OYW

The 2010 Ford Fiesta currently holds a valid MOT certificate issued on 11 February 2026 at 159,984 miles, with zero defects recorded. That clean pass, however, followed a failed test just four days earlier on 7 February 2026 at the same recorded mileage, revealing a cluster of serious front-end defects. The maintenance trend is therefore sharply worsening at the point of most recent testing, suggesting either a sudden decline in condition or a vehicle that had been neglected and hastily patched for its retest. The February 2026 failure flagged both nearside and offside track rod end ball joints at serious risk of detachment, excessively worn suspension arm ball joint on both sides, a leaking nearside front shock absorber, and front brake pads wearing thin. Both front tyres had exposed ply or cords, and the rear exhaust silencer box had a major leak. These are not minor cosmetic issues. Worn ball joints and track rod ends directly affect steering integrity, and a leaking shock absorber compromises damping and road contact. The fact that all of these items apparently passed on the retest four days later raises questions about whether repairs were genuinely completed or whether only superficial fixes were applied. The mileage progression tells a fairly consistent story. From 109,566 miles on 1 February 2023 to 125,480 miles on 18 January 2024, the car covered roughly 15,900 miles in just under a year. It then climbed to 143,589 miles by 4 February 2025, adding another 18,100 miles. The jump to 159,984 miles by February 2026 represents approximately 16,400 miles in just over twelve months. This is a steady and relatively high annual mileage for a vehicle of this age, consistent with regular sustained use rather than long periods of inactivity. The recorded mileages align plausibly with the test dates, and no obvious anomalies or suspicious gaps appear in the data. A buyer inspecting this Fiesta in person should pay close attention to the front suspension and steering components. The February 2026 failure identified play in multiple ball joints and track rod ends, and any looseness, clunking, or uneven tyre wear would indicate these items have not been properly replaced. The front brake pads were flagged as wearing thin, so disc condition and remaining pad material should be checked, along with the condition of both front tyres, which previously had structural damage exposing cords. The nearside front shock absorber was leaking fluid, so a bounce test and visual inspection for oil misting on the damper body are advisable. The rear exhaust back silencer box had a major leak, meaning the full exhaust system should be examined for corrosion, particularly around joints and box sections. Given the severity of the defects recorded just weeks before the clean pass, a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic is strongly recommended before committing to the purchase.