2018 Ford Fiesta 1.0L Petrol · GD67 YYA

The 2018 Ford Fiesta presents a mixed maintenance picture. Its most recent MOT, conducted on 5 September 2025 at 83,236 miles, passed, but the record reveals a pattern of recurring faults that were present at the preceding test on the same day and have persisted across multiple years. The trend is stable rather than resolving; the offside rear service brake binding and play in the offside front steering rack inner joint were flagged in September 2023, September 2024, and again in September 2025. This indicates chronic issues that previous owners have managed to a passable standard rather than properly rectified. The September 2025 failure for a dangerously exposed tyre cord on the nearside front and a mismatched offside rear tyre suggests basic tyre maintenance was neglected immediately prior to the retest, which is a concerning lapse in routine care. The mileage progression tells a coherent story. Between the September 2023 test at 68,352 miles and the September 2024 test at 76,816 miles, the car covered 8,464 miles in twelve months. The following year, from September 2024 to September 2025, it added just 6,420 miles, indicating reduced use. The current recorded mileage of 83,236 miles aligns with roughly 10,404 miles per year over eight years, which is typical for this age of vehicle. There are no glaring gaps or implausible jumps in the odometer record, and the MOT entries are current as of the September 2025 test, now nine months old. Buyers should focus their inspection on the front steering and rear braking systems. The persistent advisory for play in the offside front steering rack inner joint warrants a close check for excessive free play, clonking over bumps, and uneven tyre wear. The recurring offside rear brake binding, noted as not excessive at each test, could point to a sticking caliper slide pin or a deteriorating handbrake cable, and the rear brake discs should be inspected for heat discolouration and uneven scoring. The tyre history is troubling: exposed cords, cracking sidewalls, mismatched sizes, and a nail puncture all appear across the record. This suggests the previous keeper treated tyre replacement reactively rather than preventatively. Inspect all four tyres carefully for age-related perishing, particularly if the sidewalls predate the most recent test. Beyond the recurring advisories, a thorough underbody inspection is advisable. A car of this age and mileage, subjected to inconsistent maintenance, may exhibit early corrosion on suspension mounting points, subframes, and brake line brackets. Check the coil springs for cracking and the suspension bushes for deterioration, particularly at the rear where brake binding may have transmitted excess loads. The persistent TPMS warning light, noted at every test since September 2024, should be diagnosed rather than ignored, as it may mask a slow puncture or a faulty sensor. Overall, this Fiesta is roadworthy on paper but carries a history of deferred attention that a buyer must verify has not progressed into a more serious mechanical or structural concern.