2011 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · FE11 YTO

The most recent MOT, conducted on 17 February 2026 at 65,006 miles, resulted in a pass, but the advisory items reveal a pattern of minor neglect rather than serious mechanical failure. The tester flagged cracking and edge wear on the rear nearside tyre, slight damage to the front offside and rear nearside wheel rims, and condensation inside the nearside headlamp. These are not structural defects, yet they indicate a vehicle that has received basic rather than attentive upkeep. The maintenance trend is broadly stable, with no recurring safety-critical failures, but the accumulation of small advisories suggests cosmetic and consumable maintenance has been reactive rather than preventative. The mileage profile is notably low for a 2011 vehicle. At 65,006 miles over approximately fifteen years, the annual average sits at roughly 4,334 miles, well below the typical UK annual figure of 8,000 to 12,000 miles. The MOT record shows a gap of 1,495 miles between the February 2025 tests and the February 2026 test, confirming continued light use. The record itself is sparse, with only five entries spanning two years, but the consistent annual testing pattern and low mileage accumulation suggest the car has likely spent periods stationary. Prolonged standing can cause tyre perishing, brake surface corrosion, and suspension bush deterioration, all of which warrant closer physical inspection despite the clean pass rate. A buyer should prioritise inspecting the wheel rims closely. Dented inner rims appeared on the nearside rear in both the February 2025 and February 2026 tests, and the nearside front rim was flagged as badly distorted in the February 2024 failure. Repeated rim damage points to poor kerb awareness or possible impact damage that may have disturbed wheel balance or alignment. The tyre advisories, appearing across three consecutive years, further suggest the previous owner replaced tyres only when legally compelled. Uneven edge wear on the offside front tyre noted in February 2025 could indicate tracking or suspension geometry issues, so a four-wheel alignment check is advisable. Beyond the flagged items, the insecure lower steering column universal joint identified in the February 2025 failure was rectified before the retest four days later, which is reassuring from a safety standpoint. However, the combination of condensation in the headlamp and repeated minor advisories across lighting and wheel components points to a vehicle that has been kept running rather than properly maintained. A thorough inspection of suspension bushes, brake condition, and structural corrosion around the wheel arches and subframes is recommended before purchase, particularly given the likelihood of long stationary periods between short journeys.