2013 Ford Fiesta 1.0L Petrol · M3 EAT

The vehicle presents a concerning maintenance trend that appears to be worsening as the mileage increases. While the most recent test on 11 March 2026 at 106,549 miles resulted in a pass, the record shows a significant failure just two days prior on 9 March 2026 at 95,992 miles. This recent failure involved critical safety issues, including an offside front tyre with exposed cords and an excessively worn offside front suspension arm ball joint. The passing result at 106,549 miles carries an advisory for nearside rear shock absorber oil misting, a defect that was already noted during the March 2026 failure. The mileage accumulation is consistent with a vehicle of this age, averaging approximately 8,200 miles per year. The records show steady usage from 38,061 miles in March 2017 up to the current 106,549 miles. However, the frequency of failures suggests a reactive rather than proactive approach to maintenance. The owner appears to address faults only when they trigger an MOT failure, as evidenced by the repeated instances of tyres being worn to the legal limit or having cords exposed, such as in March 2019, March 2022, and March 2026. A prospective buyer should focus heavily on the suspension and steering components. The suspension arm ball joints have been flagged as excessively worn or likely to detach in both March 2022 and March 2024, indicating a recurring weakness in the front end. The nearside rear shock absorber requires close inspection due to the documented oil misting. Additionally, the history of corroded rear coil springs in March 2025 suggests that the chassis and suspension mounting points should be checked for structural rust. Braking components also require scrutiny. The records from 2020 and 2021 show a pattern of thin brake pads and pitted or scored discs. Although these specific items were not flagged in the most recent tests, the history of neglected consumable wear suggests that the current state of the braking system and the overall condition of the tyres may not have been serviced recently. A thorough inspection of all four tyres and the thickness of the brake pads and discs is essential before purchase.