2015 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · EO65 LDK

The defining mechanical theme in this Fiesta's DVSA record is a developing front suspension and steering condition that has shifted from routine wear advisories into outright test failures. On 20 March 2026 the vehicle passed its MOT, but only after a prior-day re-test was required to clear a Major defect for an excessively worn offside front lower suspension arm ball joint. That failure followed an earlier Major issued on 19 March 2024 for excessive play in the nearside track rod end ball joint, alongside advisories for both front brake discs being pitted or scored. The cluster of steering and suspension component failures within a relatively short testing window points toward progressive wear in the front axle hardware rather than isolated incidents, and a buyer should treat this as an ongoing maintenance liability rather than resolved history. Mileage accumulation across the recorded tests is broadly consistent with age, sitting at 67,024 miles over an 11-year span, which equates to around 6,000 miles per year. This is a moderate-use profile without extended periods off the road, so the suspension and steering wear pattern cannot be attributed to long stationary lay-ups that might otherwise corrode components prematurely. The annual test cadence is also regular, with no unusual gaps in the DVSA history, which means the defects observed are the result of normal in-service loading on UK roads rather than any atypical usage. At this mileage, consumable wear on items such as brake discs, pads, tyres, and rubber bushes is entirely expected, but the specific repeat focus on the offside front corner is worth noting. A prospective buyer should give particular attention to the front suspension and steering geometry, given that two Major defects have been recorded within the last three years. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the offside front when traversing speed humps or uneven road surfaces, as this is a classic symptom of a worn lower arm ball joint. Steering response should be checked for any looseness, clunks when turning at low speed, or uneven tyre wear across the front axle, particularly inner-edge feathering, which would suggest the track rod end replacement on the nearside may not have been followed up with a proper wheel alignment. The offside front shock absorber has carried an oil-misting advisory across the last three tests, so the unit should be inspected for any increase in weeping around the body, and the corner should be pushed down to confirm the damper rebounds smoothly without bouncing more than once. The braking system also warrants close scrutiny, as both front discs were flagged for pitting and scoring in 2024. On test, the brake pedal should feel firm and progressive without any judder through the steering wheel under firm application, which would indicate the discs have worn beyond a simple surface machining. The rear subframe bushes were noted as deteriorating in 2024 and should be inspected for any perishing, cracking, or movement that could allow the rear axle to shift under load. Finally, with front tyres having been flagged close to the legal limit in 2025 and rears in 2022, the current tread depth across all four corners should be measured and a check made for uneven shoulder wear, which on a Fiesta of this age and mileage is often the first visible indicator of alignment or suspension wear developing in the front axle components already identified in the MOT record.