2015 Ford Fiesta 1.0L Petrol · FL15 HSV

The 2015 Ford Fiesta most recently passed its MOT on 24 January 2026, although only by way of a retest following a failed examination the day prior. This is not a clean or reassuring test result. The most serious concerns relate to the braking system, where the nearside front inner brake pad was recorded at less than 1.5 mm thick and categorised as dangerous, alongside a front brake disc described as significantly and obviously worn. There was also a major exhaust leak from the front flexi pipe and an emissions test that could not be completed, almost certainly a consequence of the leak. The only advisory recorded at the retest was a nearside rear tyre worn close to the legal limit and on its edge. Looking at the broader pattern, the previous test in January 2025 passed without advisories, but a failed attempt on the same day for headlamp aim issues indicates borderline presentation, and the 2023 test carried advisories for corrosion on both rear coil springs. Taken together, the trend is one of accumulating wear and component failure rather than stability, with brake and exhaust integrity having become a pressing concern in the last twelve months. With 107,020 miles recorded over approximately eleven years, annual usage works out at around 9,700 miles per year, which is broadly average for a Fiesta of this age and not in itself a cause for alarm. The mileage accumulation appears reasonably steady, and there are no obvious extended gaps suggesting long periods of standing that would predispose the car to severe underbody corrosion, seized calipers, or premature ageing of fluids and rubber components. That said, a Fiesta covering this kind of mileage is now well into the latter stages of its mechanical life, and consumable wear on brake discs, pads, tyres, suspension components, clutches, and exhaust mountings should be expected to progress more rapidly. The mileage context reinforces rather than softens the concerns raised at the most recent test, as components such as brake discs and exhaust flexi sections have a finite service life closely tied to both mileage and age. A prospective buyer should treat the brake and exhaust items from the January 2026 test as non-negotiable remedial work that must be carried out before the vehicle is used on the road. On a test drive, listen carefully for any continued exhaust hiss, ticking, or rumble from the front pipe area, particularly on cold start, and confirm there is no smell of exhaust gases entering the cabin, as a leaking flexi joint will worsen rapidly with thermal cycling. The braking system should be inspected thoroughly; with the nearside inner pad recorded as dangerously low, confirm that a full set of front pads and a new or skimmed front disc have been fitted, and check that the brake pedal is firm with no sponginess suggesting further hydraulic issues. During a road test, listen for any grinding, squeal, or pulsing through the steering wheel under braking, which would suggest the disc was not replaced or machined and is now warped or excessively scored. The tyres, including the offside rear which is likely of similar age to the nearside advisory item, should be examined for both tread depth and uneven shoulder wear, and any rear tyres older than five years checked for sidewall cracking or perishing regardless of tread remaining. Beyond the items already flagged, the advisories recorded on both rear coil springs in late 2023 warrant close attention, as corroded springs will only deteriorate further with time and continued exposure to winter road salt. On a test drive, listen for clonks or rattles from the rear suspension over bumps, and visually inspect the springs for advanced surface corrosion, flaking, or any signs of cracking near the coils. Headlamp alignment, which was a failure point in early 2025, should be rechecked to ensure both beams are correctly set and not merely passed by tolerance on the retest. Given the age and mileage, it is also prudent to verify the condition of the twelve-volt battery, confirm recent cambelt or timing chain service history if applicable to the engine variant, and ensure that brake fluid, coolant, and engine oil have been changed in line with calendar intervals rather than purely mileage. Service book stamps or a recorded service history should be examined carefully, as the recent MOT failures suggest either deferred maintenance or a gap between advisories being raised and work being completed, both of which would influence how much budget should be reserved for immediate post-purchase rectification.