2016 Ford Fiesta 1.0L Petrol · MK66 EJC

The 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol in this Fiesta should return around 50-55 mpg in mixed driving, dropping to nearer 40 mpg on the motorway, depending on driving style. Road tax for a petrol Fiesta of this age sits in the cheaper brackets, and this 998cc variant should fall into a low annual VED band given its CO2 output. Insurance is one of the Fiesta's strongest selling points, with most variants sitting in groups 5-10 depending on trim, making it an affordable choice for younger drivers and second-car use. The annual running cost estimate below assumes average mileage — at this car's recorded usage of around 2,460 miles per year, real-world fuel spend will be considerably lower than the headline figure. Maintenance costs for this generation of Fiesta are reasonable, with parts availability being a key strength. Common service items such as filters, plugs, and brake components are inexpensive, though the EcoBoost engine can be sensitive to oil quality and intervals, so using the correct specification oil matters. The 1.0 EcoBoost gained a revised timing chain design in later production, but early units like this 2016 car can occasionally suffer from stretch, so a listen on cold start is worthwhile.

Begin any inspection by repeating the MOT tester’s observations — specifically, examine the rear axle bushes for cracking, splitting, or excess movement, as the 2024 advisory noted early wear. Bounce the rear of the car firmly and listen for clonking or knocking noises that would indicate the bushes have progressed beyond cosmetic wear. Also inspect the rear trailing arm bushes and check for uneven tyre wear on the rear axle, which can be a downstream symptom. The brake discs and pads should be measured for remaining material, as low annual mileage does not prevent corrosion of discs from short, low-speed journeys. The 1.0 EcoBoost engine warrants a careful cold-start observation. Listen for any rattle from the timing chain area for the first few seconds after ignition, and watch for smoke from the exhaust on startup that could indicate turbo or valve stem seal issues. Check the coolant reservoir for any signs of oil contamination and verify the cam cover gasket and oil filter housing for seepage — both known weak points on early EcoBoost units. Finally, inspect the bodywork for stone chips along the bonnet and bumper, and check the wheel arches and sills for corrosion, as Fiestas of this era can develop rust in these areas depending on prior exposure to winter road salt.