2018 Ford Ecosport 1.0L Petrol · EK18 LFD

The 2018 Ford EcoSport currently presents a roadworthy status based on its most recent MOT on 4 November 2025, where it passed at approximately 64,000 miles. However, the maintenance trend is mixed rather than stable. That pass came just five days after a failure on 30 October 2025 for an inoperative engine management indicator lamp, a defect that prevented the car from being driven away legally until rectified. The same test also flagged severely deteriorated ball joint dust covers on both front suspension arms, identical to those recorded as minor defects on the subsequent pass. An advisory for a non-excessive gearbox oil leak has now appeared on two consecutive tests, which warrants monitoring. Mileage accumulation appears broadly typical for the vehicle's age, averaging around 8,000 miles per year over its eight-year life. The recorded mileage history is sparse across the supplied data, with a notable gap between March 2024 and October 2024 where only one test is recorded. The earlier record from March 2024 noted thinning front brake pads and perishing across all four tyres, and by late October 2024 the tyres were again flagged for cracking and perishing. Failing the same test on an insufficient washer jet alongside tyre deterioration suggests basic consumable upkeep may have been neglected prior to that point. For a prospective buyer, the immediate priority is a diagnostic scan of the engine management system to confirm the MIL fault has been properly resolved rather than simply cleared, as intermittent indicator lamp failures can mask underlying sensor or emissions issues. The front suspension should be inspected closely for play in the ball joints themselves, since perished dust covers accelerate joint wear and the defect was recorded on both sides within days of each other. The gearbox should be checked for oil seepage from the seals or housing, comparing the current condition against the advisory noted in late 2025. Finally, all four tyres and the windscreen washer system warrant a physical check, given the recurring advisories and the failed washer fluid defect that cost the car its previous pass. Overall, the recorded history shows one outright failure in 2024 and another in late 2025, with several repeated advisories around tyres, brakes, and now suspension components. The pattern points to a vehicle that has passed its tests but has accumulated a notable cluster of late-life wear items that a buyer should not overlook. Buying Score: 42/100 (High Risk).