2018 Ford Fiesta 1.1L Petrol · DX68 TYU

A pattern of recurring lighting and tyre defects has defined the MOT history of this 2018 Ford Fiesta, with both of its recorded failures in the last two cycles involving stop lamps and position lamps not functioning alongside dangerous or heavily worn tyres. The most recent test on 18 August 2026 was a pass with no advisories, following a failure on the same date for a defective rear fog lamp lens and an excessively worn front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint on both sides, indicating that suspension and lighting components are areas requiring close scrutiny. Before the 2025 pass, the vehicle failed for inoperative offside rear lighting, and during the 2022 cycle it was presented with a nearside rear tyre below the 1.6mm legal tread depth, classified as dangerous. Across seven years of testing, the record shows two failures, two clean passes with no advisories in 2023 and 2024, and a consistent stream of advisories relating to tyre condition and brake wear, painting a picture of a vehicle that has had its roadworthiness restored at each test but with chronic wear items frequently appearing. At 46,322 miles over eight years, this Fiesta has accumulated roughly 5,790 miles per year, which is below average for its age and points to either light general use or significant periods of standing. There are no substantial gaps in annual testing, suggesting the vehicle has remained on the road throughout the recorded period, but the low annual mileage can allow certain components to deteriorate through disuse, including brake discs corroding or pitting, tyre sidewalls perishing through lack of flexing, and suspension bushes becoming dry or binding. The advisory history supports this: brake discs on both front corners were noted as pitted or scored in 2025, and the nearside front tyre was recorded with cracking, perishing, and edge wear in the same year, all common findings when annual mileage is low and the vehicle is not regularly exercised on longer journeys. For a prospective buyer, the front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint failure flagged on the 2026 retest is the most pressing mechanical concern, as worn anti-roll bar links produce clonking or rattling noises over speed humps, during direction changes, and over uneven road surfaces, and they can also induce noticeable body roll and vague handling response. Both front brake discs were noted as pitted or scored with pads wearing thin at the 2025 test, and although not failed at that point, this combination typically produces brake pedal shudder under firm application, particularly in damp weather, and extended stopping distances once the pads reach the wear indicator. The tyre advisories across 2022 and 2025, including edge wear on the nearside front, may indicate a tracking or suspension geometry issue that could resurface, so inspecting the nearside front tyre for uneven shoulder wear on any current rubber is worthwhile. The rear fog lamp lens defect on the 2026 failure is a relatively inexpensive repair, but it confirms a history of lighting electrical faults that has now extended across two consecutive test cycles, with the 2025 failure involving both a stop lamp and a rear position lamp on the nearside. On a test drive, confirm that all exterior lamps operate correctly including the rear fog, and listen carefully for any suspension knocks or creaks over rougher tarmac and speed bumps, as the anti-roll bar links are likely to have been renewed but the bushes they connect into can also be worn. Finally, check the brake pedal feel for vibration and the steering for any pulling or vagueness through corners, as the recorded disc wear and tyre edge wear suggest the braking and alignment geometry of this low-mileage Fiesta warrants a measured appraisal rather than an assumption of trouble-free motoring.