2018 Ford Fiesta 1.5L Diesel · EO18 FHS

A persistent front-end wear pattern dominates the mechanical narrative of this 2018 Ford Fiesta. Across six of the eight recorded tests, the nearside front wheel has been flagged as slightly distorted, first appearing as an advisory in March 2021 on the same date as an MOT failure for both headlamp aim being too low, recurring in October 2022, again in September 2023, and most recently surfacing as front inner tyre edge wear in August 2026. The recurrence of the nearside front wheel distortion across multiple years, combined with the latest test showing both front inner tyres worn close to the legal limit on their edges, strongly suggests a longstanding geometry or component issue that has not been fully rectified. While the vehicle has passed its last three consecutive tests since 2024 with no recorded defects, the underlying wheel and tyre wear signature remains a live concern that any prospective buyer must investigate rather than dismiss as cosmetic. With 122,451 miles accumulated over eight years, this Fiesta is averaging roughly 15,300 miles per annum, which sits well above the typical mileage bracket for a car of this age and class. The MOT record shows continuous annual testing from 2021 through 2026 with no gaps, indicating the vehicle has remained in regular service throughout this period. Higher annual mileage of this nature accelerates wear on consumables such as brake pads, discs, tyres, clutches (if applicable), and suspension components including bushes, anti-roll bar links, and shock absorbers. The absence of any advisories relating to braking, exhaust, or suspension components across the most recent three tests is a positive data point, but the cumulative mileage means these items are still due for routine attention well before the next MOT anniversary. The recurring nearside front wheel distortion, noted as far back as 2021, warrants close physical inspection at the time of viewing. Request to see both front wheels removed if possible so that the inner and outer rims can be examined for cracks, buckling, or impact damage that a casual inspection will miss. The August 2026 advisory covering both front inner tyres wearing on their edges points to either a tracking misalignment, worn suspension bushes, top mounts, or droop links allowing the camber to shift under load. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and pay particular attention to whether the steering pulls to one side under braking or feels vague on a motorway. Uneven inner-edge tyre wear on a Fiesta of this mileage is frequently linked to failed wishbone bushes or a sagging front strut, both of which can be diagnosed by a mechanic lifting the front end and checking for play in the suspension linkages. Headlamp alignment should also be verified, given the 2021 failure where both headlamps were aimed too low. Although this is a straightforward adjustment on most Fiestas and may simply reflect a heavy load at the time of test, it is worth confirming that the headlamp mounting brackets are intact and that the lamps have not been replaced with non-genuine units that alter the beam pattern. Additionally, with mileage approaching the 125,000 mark, attention should be directed toward the condition of the timing belt or chain depending on engine variant, the state of the coolant and transmission fluid, and any signs of oil leakage from the engine or gearbox seals. A diagnostic scan for stored fault codes and a borescope inspection of the brake discs for lipping would round out a sensible pre-purchase evaluation, particularly given the sustained high-mileage usage profile of this particular example.