2010 Ford Fiesta 1.4L Diesel · FH10 LTO

This 2010 Ford Fiesta carries a mixed MOT record with one of the more concerning single-test outcomes in 2023, balanced against cleaner subsequent results. The 2023 test is the defining event in the vehicle's recent history, having failed on four major defects simultaneously: a non-functioning offside headlamp on dipped beam, front brake discs scored significantly across both sides, an excessively worn rear suspension arm bush at the rear axle, and an offside front brake pipe suffering from advanced corrosion. The vehicle passed at the same location two days later, suggesting these items were addressed, but the cluster of brake, suspension, and corrosion defects in a single test is a notable red flag for a vehicle of this age and an important reference point for any inspection. The most recent test on 15 April 2025 resulted in a pass with no advisories recorded, and the only defect noted on the same date was a minor presentation issue with an offside front position lamp, indicating that the recent direction of travel is positive but built on top of a previously shaky foundation. Annual mileage across the recorded tests averages roughly 6,000 miles, which is notably low for a sixteen-year-old vehicle and points to either genuine light use or extended periods of inactivity between tests. The mileage progression between tests shows broadly steady accumulation with no dramatic spikes, suggesting the car has been in regular but modest use rather than sitting idle for prolonged stretches. Mechanically, lower annual mileage can be a double-edged sword on a Fiesta of this vintage: brake discs and calipers, suspension bushes, coolant hoses, and underbody protection are all prone to deterioration from lack of use as much as from wear, with seized caliper slide pins and dry-cracking rubber components being common consequences of an under-used daily driver. The single advisory for slight diesel misting under the bonnet recorded in 2022 is worth noting in this context, as stationary diesel systems can develop weeping injector pipes and seals, particularly on older common-rail units. Given the 2023 brake pipe corrosion failure, any prospective buyer should carry out a close physical inspection of the full brake and fuel line network, particularly along the offside front chassis leg and any underbody runs, looking for surface rust, flaking, or any evidence of recent replacement joint work. The front brake discs should be inspected for lipping, run-out, and minimum thickness against the stamped spec, and the caliper slide pins should be checked for free movement, as binding calipers are a known weakness on this model and can cause uneven pad wear. The rear axle front bushes, which were flagged as excessively worn in 2023, should be examined for cracking, splitting, or any slack when the wheel is rocked by hand, and the steering rack gaiter, which was recorded as insecure in 2022, should be confirmed as fully intact and sealing correctly against the rack. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the rear suspension over uneven surfaces, particularly across cats-eyes and speed humps, and feel for any vagueness or knocking through the steering, which would indicate worn tie-bar or anti-roll bar drop links, both common failure points on the Fiesta Mk6 and Mk7 platforms. It is also worth paying close attention to the lighting and indicator systems during both a stationary walk-around and a road test, given the recurrence of lamp-related failures in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Both rear indicator units should be confirmed as emitting the correct amber light with no white show-through, as the 2024 failure was specifically for incorrect colour, which can stem from incorrect bulb fitment, water ingress into the lamp unit, or aged reflective backing. On the test drive, the vehicle should be assessed for any pull under braking, which could indicate a sticking caliper following the 2023 disc replacement, and the exhaust heat shield, which was flagged as insecure in 2023, should be checked for rattles at idle and low engine speeds. With sixteen years of service life behind it, this Fiesta is approaching the age where structural corrosion, exhaust integrity, and rubber suspension components become increasingly relevant, and a thorough pre-purchase inspection on a ramp would be strongly advisable given the 2023 pattern of chassis and brake line deterioration.