2013 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · EW11 ALL

A recurring pattern of braking system instability and a previous critical steering failure define the mechanical history of this vehicle. While the car passed its latest inspection on 9 October 2025, the record reveals chronic issues with the service brakes, which have been flagged as fluctuating across multiple years and were most recently noted for pitted and scored front discs. This trend, combined with a dangerous steering rack failure and insufficient brake pedal reserve travel recorded in October 2024, suggests a vehicle that has required significant corrective work to maintain basic roadworthiness. With 82,171 recorded miles over thirteen years, the vehicle has averaged approximately 6,321 miles per year. This represents a typical usage profile for a small hatchback of this age, meaning the drivetrain and chassis have likely experienced a standard rate of wear. There are no significant gaps in the testing history to suggest long periods of dormancy, which typically reduces the risk of seized calipers or perished rubber seals, though the consistent brake advisories indicate that wear on these consumables has been a persistent issue. During a test drive, particular attention must be paid to the braking performance and steering precision. The history of fluctuating service brakes and pitted discs should manifest as a noticeable pulsation or judder through the brake pedal during deceleration. You should also check for any excessive free play or vagueness in the steering wheel, ensuring there is no delayed response when navigating corners, given the previous dangerous failure of the steering rack. Further inspection should focus on the rear suspension and current tyre condition. The recorded corrosion of both rear coil springs in 2023 warrants a check for knocking sounds or an uneven ride height when driving over speed bumps. Additionally, the offside rear tyre was noted as being close to the legal limit during the October 2025 test, and the front brake discs should be visually inspected for surface pitting and scoring that could compromise braking efficiency.