2015 Ford Fiesta 1.5L Diesel · FN65 XAJ

The 2015 Ford Fiesta presents a stable and recently improving maintenance trend, culminating in a clean pass on 1 April 2026 at 64,554 miles with zero defects recorded. That result is significant because it follows a failure just nine days earlier on 23 March 2026 at the identical mileage, where the tester flagged an illegible rear registration plate inscription, a minor rear exhaust gas leak, and slightly worn rear axle swivel pins and bushes. The fact that all three defects were rectified within a single week suggests the previous owner addressed them promptly rather than allowing faults to accumulate. Comparing the 2026 pass against earlier years, the vehicle has moved from a pattern of recurring minor advisories toward a fully clean bill of health, which is a positive indicator of recent mechanical attention. The mileage profile tells an unusual story. Across roughly eleven years, the car has covered just 64,554 miles, averaging approximately 5,869 miles per year, well below the typical UK annual figure of around 8,000 to 12,000 miles. More striking is the apparent stagnation between the April 2026 test and the March 2026 failure, both recorded at exactly 64,554 miles, implying the vehicle may have stood unused for a period before being presented for its pre-failure test. The annual increments between 2023 and 2025 show moderate but consistent use: 51,868 miles in August 2023, 58,038 miles in August 2024, and 62,581 miles in August 2025, representing gains of roughly 6,170 and 4,543 miles per year respectively. There are no alarming gaps or sudden spikes, though the low overall mileage raises the question of prolonged stationary periods, which can cause its own issues such as perished rubber components, flat-spotted tyres, and moisture-related corrosion in brake and fuel systems. A buyer should focus their in-person inspection on the rear suspension and exhaust system, which have been the most consistently flagged areas across the record. The rear sub-frame pins and bushes appeared worn in both August 2024 and August 2025, and the rear axle swivel pins and bushes were noted as slightly worn in March 2026. While none of these were deemed severe enough to cause failure, their recurrence across multiple tests suggests the rear suspension compliance bushes are a known wear point on this example. The rear coil spring mountings were flagged as damaged though not seriously weakened in August 2025, so a close visual check for cracking or corrosion around the rear spring seats is warranted. The exhaust system has drawn advisories at nearly every test since 2023, with the rear back box cited for corrosion and minor gas leaks repeatedly. A thorough inspection of the full exhaust, particularly the back box and rear joint flanges, would be prudent to confirm the recent repair has held. Beyond the documented advisories, the low-mileage profile warrants attention to consumable items that deteriorate with age rather than use. The front shock absorbers showed light oil misting in both 2024 and 2025, and while that advisory disappeared in 2026, any signs of weeping or damping loss during a road test should be taken seriously. Tyre condition also appeared borderline in 2023 when both front tyres were worn close to the legal limit, and given the car's age, the date codes on all four tyres should be checked regardless of remaining tread depth. Brake components, fuel lines, and rubber hoses deserve close scrutiny for age-related perishing, particularly if the vehicle has spent extended periods stationary. Overall, the MOT record is encouraging, but the pattern of recurring rear suspension and exhaust wear, combined with the atypical mileage behaviour, means a physical inspection remains essential before purchase.