2014 Ford Fiesta 1.0L Petrol · GD14 RFF

The most recent DVSA test on 27 January 2026 returned a pass, although the inspection did identify four advisories that warrant attention. A review of the recent history shows a broadly stable pattern rather than a sharply worsening one, but there is a clear recurring theme of suspension and underbody wear that has been building over several test cycles. The most significant item in the latest test is the nearside front tyre being worn close to the legal limit on the inner shoulder, which suggests an ongoing geometry or suspension issue rather than simple tyre age. The two rear coil spring advisories and the distorted nearside front wheel rim complete a picture of a car that is beginning to show its age structurally, even though it has passed the roadworthiness threshold. The recorded mileage of 85,555 over approximately twelve years equates to around 7,100 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a small Ford Fiesta of this generation and suggests a mix of urban and shorter journeys rather than sustained motorway use. There is no evidence of large annual gaps or rapid accumulation in the MOT record, so the wear pattern is consistent with steady, moderate use. That said, the recurring rear suspension and tyre wear items point to components that have been working hard over the full life of the vehicle, and buyers should expect some of these parts to be approaching the end of their service life even if they are not yet at the point of MOT failure. The most consistent issue across the MOT history is the condition of the rear coil springs and their upper insulators, which have been flagged as corroding and perishing on every test since at least 2021, with the nearside rear specifically noted in 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025, and 2026. This is a common Fiesta weakness and warrants close physical inspection; on a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the rear over uneven surfaces, particularly when travelling single-wheeled over speed humps, and pay attention to any sagging of the rear ride height. The 2025 advisories also recorded play in the offside front lower suspension arm ball joint and perishing rear axle outer mounting bushes, both of which should be checked for progression. A 2024 advisory noted play in the offside front steering rack inner joint, which can manifest as vagueness or a slight knocking through the steering wheel on full lock, and this should be re-evaluated given another two years of use. The 2025 engine management light failure, while subsequently cleared, suggests an intermittent emissions or sensor fault that may return, so a thorough diagnostic read at the point of purchase would be prudent. Given the vehicle's age and the advisory pattern, several time-based checks are also sensible regardless of the MOT outcome. The front tyres have now been flagged for inner shoulder wear on multiple occasions, which strongly indicates either a tracking issue that has not been resolved or worn front suspension components allowing the wheel geometry to drift, and a four-wheel alignment check is advisable alongside any renewal. The distorted nearside front wheel rim should be inspected for signs of impact damage, a slow air leak, or vibration through the steering wheel at speed, and the tyre in question should be replaced promptly. Brake discs and calipers on a twelve-year-old car that has seen regular but not excessive use are prone to corrosion, particularly on the rear calipers which can bind and cause uneven pad wear, so a visual inspection of disc edges for lipping and a check for any pulling under braking is worthwhile. Finally, age-related items such as the 12V battery, coolant, brake fluid, and the timing belt or chain service interval should be verified against the service book, as calendar-aged consumables can fail suddenly even on a low-mileage example, and the 2025 advisory of a loose exhaust flexi section should be confirmed as having been properly repaired rather than simply silenced.