2015 Ford Ecosport 1.5L Diesel · FN65 WHX

The vehicle achieved a PASS at its most recent MOT test on 26 June 2026, although it had failed the previous day on serious safety grounds. The current pass is accompanied by advisories for a non-excessive oil leak, worn and pitted front brake disc, and thin front brake pads, suggesting the vehicle has been brought back to a roadworthy condition but with several wear items still requiring attention. Looking at the broader MOT history, the maintenance trend is arguably worsening rather than stable. The 2026 test included a Dangerous defect for an offside front track rod end ball joint worn to the point of risking detachment, which is an extremely serious steering failure, together with a Major for an excessively worn nearside rear axle sub-frame bush. Earlier failures, particularly the 2024 test, involved a malfunctioning tyre pressure monitoring system, an incorrect headlamp beam image, and an inoperative stop lamp, while the 2023 test featured failed headlamp and stop lamp items. The accumulation of structural, steering, and lighting defects across consecutive tests points to declining attention to fundamental safety systems and warrants considerable caution from any prospective buyer. With approximately 109,204 miles recorded on an eleven-year-old vehicle, the Ecosport is averaging around 9,928 miles per year, which is broadly typical for its age and suggests neither long periods of standing nor excessive high-mileage use. The mileage progression between annual MOTs appears reasonably consistent, which is reassuring in one sense as it implies regular running and therefore less risk from corrosion through inactivity, fluid degradation, or seized components. That said, the eleven-year age itself means calendar-based wear should be considered alongside the odometer reading. Timing belts, coolant, brake fluid, and automatic gearbox fluid, where applicable, all deteriorate with time as much as mileage, and any prospective purchase should be supported by a full service history confirming these items have been addressed at appropriate intervals. The oil leak flagged in the 2026 test, although classed as non-excessive, should be monitored closely, as oil leaks from ageing engines often worsen progressively and can lead to soil contamination, overheating, or fire risk if left unattended. The most pressing concerns from the MOT history centre on the steering and suspension components. A Dangerous track rod end failure is a red flag for the integrity of the front steering geometry, and the buyer should inspect the vehicle on a lift or during a thorough test drive, listening carefully for any clonks, knocks, or wandering from the front end over bumps and during direction changes. Both rear coil springs were flagged as corroded in 2025, which is particularly significant for an eleven-year-old vehicle; corroded springs can fatigue and snap, so they should be physically examined for surface pitting, cracks, or any reduction in ride height. The recurring advisories relating to rear sub-frame bushes, swivel pins, and anti-roll bar linkage ball joints indicate progressive wear in the rear axle area, which may manifest as rear-end clunks, vagueness over uneven surfaces, or uneven tyre wear, particularly on the inner edges. The front brake disc pitting and pad thinning advisories, repeated across multiple tests, indicate the discs and pads are nearing the end of their service life, and a test drive should include firm pedal application to check for brake shudder, vibration through the steering wheel, or any pulling to one side indicative of uneven disc wear or a binding caliper. Beyond the recorded MOT defects, the age and mileage profile warrant several practical physical inspections before purchase. Tyres should be examined closely for sidewall cracking, perishing, and check the DOT date code, as an eleven-year-old vehicle will commonly still be running original-equipment-age rubber, which hardens and loses grip regardless of tread depth. The 12-volt battery is very likely due for replacement, and any starting hesitation, dimming lights, or dashboard warning messages on initial ignition should be investigated. Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time and should have been renewed regardless of mileage, so service records confirming this are worth scrutinising. Given the rear exhaust silencer has been flagged as corroded in both 2024 and 2025 tests, a physical examination underneath the vehicle for exhaust mounting integrity, underbody corrosion, and structural condition is essential. Finally, all previously identified bulb failures should be verified as resolved with quality replacements rather than temporary repairs, and a thorough road test on varied surfaces at differing speeds will give the clearest picture of whether the recent repairs have restored the vehicle to a genuinely safe and roadworthy condition.