2015 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · FG15 OSD

The mechanical story of this 2015 Ford Fiesta is dominated by a repeating pattern of rear axle and suspension wear combined with persistent electrical faults centred on the supplementary restraint system warning lamp and rear lighting. Across five MOT tests from late 2021 through late 2025, the rear axle swivel pins and bushes have appeared four times, escalating from slight wear in 2021 to a dangerous-level major failure in November 2024 when both nearside and offside bushes were recorded as excessively worn. The same test in 2024 also produced major defects for the windscreen and front side repeater, and the supplementary restraint system warning lamp issue has been flagged as an advisory at every single test since at least 2023, having originally presented as a Major defect in the failed 2024 examination. Two further lighting-related failures occurred in December 2023, when a near-side rear stop lamp and rear position lamp were found not working, and a dangerous failure for all rear stop lamps in December 2022. The most recent test on 28 November 2025 was a pass, but it carried advisories for rear brake disc wear, thinning rear brake pads, and the same recurring SRS warning lamp issue, suggesting the underlying electrical fault has never been properly resolved and the rear axle condition is being managed rather than cured. Recorded mileage of 77,413 over the documented MOT period equates to roughly 7,000 miles per year, which sits comfortably within the typical range for an eleven-year-old supermini and indicates the vehicle has been in regular rather than garage-queen service. There are no extended gaps in testing history that would suggest long periods off the road, and the mileage progression between tests appears consistent, implying steady commuter or errand use rather than the heavy motorway accumulation that would accelerate wear on clutches, dual-mass components, or diesel-related emissions equipment. Given that the Fiesta has covered its miles primarily around town, the recorded wear on rear axle bushes, anti-roll bar linkages and trailing arm bushes is consistent with the kerbing, pothole exposure and short-trip loading that urban driving imposes on suspension hardware. A prospective buyer should treat the rear axle assembly as the primary mechanical concern and budget accordingly. On a test drive, listen for clonks or rear-end knocks over speed humps and uneven surfaces, particularly from the back of the car, and feel for any vagueness or shudder through the steering on uneven roads that could indicate the swivel pin bushes have worn past the point the 2024 test recorded. With the car raised for inspection, the rear trailing arm bushes and axle swivel pins should be physically checked for cracking, deflection or excessive play, and because both sides were flagged together, expect to replace the components as a pair rather than individually. The rear brake discs and pads flagged in November 2025 should be measured for remaining thickness and checked for lipping or hot spots, while the front anti-roll bar drop link ball joint recorded in 2022 warrants a check for any renewal since, as these are low-cost items that deteriorate with age regardless of mileage. The electrical and lighting history deserves equal scrutiny because the same defects have recurred across multiple tests. The supplementary restraint system warning lamp failing to illuminate correctly at every test since 2023 indicates an unresolved airbag system fault, which on a Fiesta of this era commonly relates to a clock spring, seatbelt pretensioner or wiring connector beneath the seats; this should be diagnosed with a Ford-compatible scan tool before purchase, as an illuminated airbag light will also cause the vehicle to fail an MOT on its own. The repeated rear lamp failures suggest possible water ingress into the rear light clusters, a corroded earth point in the boot area, or a failing light switch, all worth checking with a helper operating the lights while you observe the rear of the car. Finally, verify that the windscreen damage flagged as a Major in 2024 has been properly repaired with an optical-quality replacement rather than a cheap screen, and confirm the front side repeaters function correctly, as these have failed twice in the recorded history and may indicate a deeper wiring issue rather than simple bulb failures.