2016 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · ML16 KKR

The 2016 Ford Fiesta is currently roadworthy, having passed its most recent MOT on 1 July 2025 at 81,993 miles. That said, the maintenance trend over the past two years is mixed rather than clearly improving. The same test date produced both a failure and a pass, indicating that a significant defect was rectified between attempts. The failure flagged excessive play in the nearside front track rod end ball joint and excessive free play at the steering rack end, both of which are critical steering integrity items. The tester also noted a non-functioning offside headlamp on dipped beam. These were resolved before the pass, but the pass still carried advisories for worn front brake pads, scored front brake discs, a nearside front tyre on the legal limit, and worn rear sub-frame bushes on both sides. A buyer should treat the steering and suspension repairs as a positive sign of recent attention, but the persistent brake and sub-frame wear suggests ongoing deferred maintenance on consumable and structural items. The mileage pattern is broadly consistent with typical use for a ten-year-old car. The vehicle covered roughly 11,700 miles between July 2023 and July 2025, following a similar pace from July 2022 to July 2023, when it moved from 45,853 to 59,254 miles. There are no alarming gaps or sudden drops in recorded distance that would suggest long-term standing or clocking. The annualised figure of around 8,200 miles over its life sits comfortably within the normal range for a small petrol hatchback of this age, and the MOT record is complete enough to give confidence in the odometer's reliability. The recurring items across the history point to a car that has had adequate safety-critical repairs but inconsistent preventative upkeep. Rear shock absorber oil misting appeared in both the 2022 and 2024 tests, suggesting the offside rear damper has been weeping for at least four years without replacement. Tyre wear and cracking advisories appear in three of the five tests, with both nearside and offside rear tyres flagged for perishing in 2022 and the nearside front tyre repeatedly worn to the legal limit by 2025. Front brake discs were scored and pads were thin at the most recent test, a pattern that implies the braking system has not been renewed in some time. A prospective buyer should inspect the rear dampers for fresh oil misting, check the steering rack and track rod ends for any return of play, and assess the condition of the rear sub-frame bushes for corrosion or splitting. Structural corrosion is not explicitly flagged in the record, but the worn rear sub-frame bushes and the ten-year age of the vehicle mean an underside inspection is essential. Look for corrosion on the sub-frame mounting points, around the rear beam, and along the sills, particularly if the car has been used on salted roads. The gearbox mounting was noted as defective in the 2024 test, so any clunking or drivetrain vibration under load should be investigated. Overall, the car appears mechanically sound following its recent steering repairs, but the pattern of advisories suggests a buyer should budget for suspension, brake, and tyre renewal in the near term.