2018 Ford Fiesta 1.0L Petrol · J17 KBC

The defining mechanical narrative for this 2018 Ford Fiesta is a pattern of tyre wear that has now escalated into a recorded dangerous failure, paired with a recent cluster of brake and tyre advisories across consecutive tests. The most recent examination on 12 March 2026 was a pass, but it flagged both front tyres as worn close to the legal limit and worn on the edges, repeating identical advisories from the March 2023 test. More concerning is the 16 March 2024 failure, where the offside rear tyre was deemed dangerous with tread below 1.6mm alongside an advisory on the matching nearside rear, while a major defect was also recorded for the front passenger door being unable to be opened from outside. Following this failure, the vehicle passed a re-test three days later with no defects recorded, but the recurrence of edge wear on the front tyres a full two years later suggests an unresolved geometry or suspension issue rather than simple tyre ageing. The progression from clean passes in 2021 and 2022 to repeated front tyre advisories and a dangerous tread failure indicates that the roadworthiness picture has measurably worsened over the last three years rather than stabilised. Against an eight-year age span, the recorded mileage of 48,607 miles equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 6,076 miles, which sits broadly in line with typical usage for a small hatchback of this era. The testing record is continuous from February 2021 onwards, with no multi-year gaps that would suggest the vehicle was laid up, and there are no sudden mileage jumps between consecutive tests that would indicate clocking or significant unrecorded journeys. However, a Fiesta accumulating the bulk of its wear on urban and suburban roads at this modest annual rate will still experience steady degradation of consumables, and the evidence in the MOT history confirms that brake pads and tyres have been progressively approaching replacement thresholds. The relatively even usage profile means the wear items flagged should be interpreted as genuine mechanical ageing rather than abuse, but it also means components such as the rear brake pads, which were first noted as wearing thin in March 2025, will by now be due for replacement or close to it. For a prospective buyer, the priority inspections must focus on the suspension and steering geometry given the persistent front tyre edge wear across 2023 and 2026. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, which would indicate worn drop links, anti-roll bar bushes, or strut top mount bearings. Pay particular attention to whether the steering pulls to one side under braking or on a straight motorway stretch, as uneven camber or worn front wishbone bushes are common causes of the inside-edge wear pattern recorded here. Inspect the front passenger door mechanism thoroughly, as the 2024 failure for the door being unable to be opened from outside could indicate a failed door handle assembly, broken cable, or latch misalignment that may have been only temporarily rectified, so confirm smooth operation of both the exterior handle and the internal release on a cold start. The brake system warrants close physical scrutiny based on the March 2025 advisories on both front and rear pad wear. With the rear pads noted as wearing thin a year and a half ago, examine the visible inner edge of the rear discs through the wheel spokes for a pronounced lip and any scoring, as worn pads on this platform frequently lead to grooved or corroded discs requiring replacement. On the road, test the pedal feel firmly: any softness, excessive travel, or judder under moderate braking would suggest caliper slide pin seizure or a warped rear disc, both common on Fiestas of this mileage. Finally, verify that all four tyres currently fitted are of matching brand, size, and tread depth, as the pattern of premature wear recorded in the MOT history means replacements may have been unevenly applied; mismatched tyres on a front-wheel-drive hatchback will exacerbate the very handling and traction issues that contribute to uneven wear in the first place.