2014 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · LT14 UUH

The most recent DVSA MOT test for this 2014 Ford Fiesta was conducted on 29 August 2023 and resulted in a Pass, although three advisory items were recorded. Looking back through the available history, the pattern over the preceding twelve months is somewhat mixed. The vehicle failed an MOT on 20 August 2022 due to two major defects, namely an excessively worn offside front lower suspension arm ball joint and an offside front headlamp with an obviously incorrect projected beam image. Two days later, on 22 August 2022, the car was presented again and passed with advisories for a child seat restricting belt inspection and a loose rear heatshield. The 2023 pass is therefore an improvement on the 2022 failure, but the presence of fresh advisories for suspension and sub-frame components indicates that wear issues are persisting rather than being fully resolved. Overall, the maintenance trend is best described as broadly stable but with ongoing attention required to the front suspension and rear sub-frame mounting areas. The recorded mileage of 103,108 miles on a twelve-year-old vehicle equates to an annual average of roughly 8,592 miles, which is broadly typical for a car of this age in the UK and suggests regular rather than extreme usage. There is no evidence within the MOT record of unusually low annual mileage that would raise concerns about long periods of standing, nor of rapid accumulation that would suggest predominantly high-mileage motorway driving. At this odometer reading, ordinary wear-related maintenance items such as timing belt or chain inspection, clutch life, exhaust replacement, and general engine wear become increasingly relevant. Brake discs, pads, and tyres will also have been subjected to multiple replacement cycles, so verifying the condition and provenance of the current set is worthwhile. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the advisory items logged at the 2023 test. The light oil misting on the offside front shock absorber suggests the beginning of seal degradation; on a test drive, listen for any knocking or clonking over bumps and uneven road camber, and inspect the shock for any worsening oil weepage down the body of the unit. The advisories regarding nearside and offside rear sub-frame pin or bush wear indicate compliance at test time but progression is likely, so listen for rear suspension noise and check for any lateral movement when the vehicle is rocked. The earlier 2022 failure for an excessively worn offside front lower suspension arm ball joint is a known weak point on this generation of Fiesta, and confirmation should be sought that the arm was replaced rather than just inspected, as renewed wear within such a short interval would be a serious concern. On test, listen for clonks from the front suspension over speed humps and during sharp steering inputs, and feel for any vagueness or knocking through the steering wheel. Beyond the recorded defects, given the vehicle's age and mileage, several age-related checks are advisable. Inspect the tyres closely for both tread depth and, crucially, sidewall perishing or cracking, as twelve-year-old rubber can degrade even with adequate tread. Examine the brake discs for any significant corrosion or lipping, particularly if the car has stood for any length of time, as binding calipers are common on vehicles of this age. Verify the 12V battery condition, confirm the service book stamps line up with the recorded mileage, and ensure that time-based items such as engine coolant, brake fluid, and gearbox oil have been replaced in line with manufacturer schedules. Finally, check that the headlamp alignment corrected in 2022 has not drifted and that the rear heatshield previously noted as loose has been properly secured to prevent exhaust noise and heat issues.