2018 Ford Fiesta 1.0L Petrol · MT18 BPU

The 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine in this Fiesta typically returns 50-65 mpg in real-world driving, making it one of the more frugal petrol superminis on the market. Road tax sits in a low VED bracket thanks to CO2 outputs of around 97-120 g/km depending on spec, costing approximately £20-£165 annually depending on the exact variant. Insurance for a 2018 Fiesta 1.0 falls within group 5-10, which is favourable for younger or lower-experience drivers but still affordable for most buyers.

Routine maintenance is relatively inexpensive, with annual servicing typically costing £150-£250 at an independent garage. Common replacement items include front brake pads (£80-£120 fitted), tyres (£50-£80 per corner for budget brands), and wiper blades which were notably required on this vehicle in September 2025. The EcoBoost engine is chain-driven for the auxiliaries, so there is no cambelt to replace at intervals, but the wet timing belt inside the engine should be replaced based on Ford's recommended schedule (typically every 10 years or 150,000 miles). Fuel, tax, insurance and maintenance combined should give an estimated annual running cost of £900-£1,200 for a typical driver covering 6,000-8,000 miles per year.

Given the MOT history on this specific vehicle, a physical inspection of both front headlamp units is essential — the 2024 failure cited both lamps as insecure simultaneously, which warrants checking whether the securing clips or adjustment screws are worn or missing. The 2025 failure around wiper effectiveness could indicate either a worn blade, a loose wiper arm, or a failing wiper linkage motor; physically operate the wipers through their full sweep on a wet screen and listen for any clicking or stuttering from the linkage. The odometer sits at 39,627 miles across three recorded MOTs, with no mileage readings in 2018-2022, so confirm the MOT history document (V5C) or service invoices corroborate a continuous, non-tampered mileage trace.

On the broader model front, the 1.0 EcoBoost has well-documented issues with coolant leaks from the water pump housing, particularly on earlier units — check the underside of the engine bay for white crystallised deposits around the water pump area and inspect the coolant reservoir for any oily residue. The Fiesta's front coil springs are flagged as a top-three MOT failure reason across the model population (alongside headlamps and exhausts), so visually inspect the car on level ground for any sagging at the front corners, and bounce each corner to check for knocking noises from the strut top mounts. The exhaust rear silencer box is another known weak point, often corroding through where it passes over the rear axle — give the back box a firm tap and listen for a dull rather than crisp ring.

General inspection points include checking for water ingress in the front footwells (a common Fiesta issue), testing all electric windows for one-touch operation, and confirming the air conditioning blows cold — regassing a Fiesta typically costs £60-£80 if it has failed. The rear brake drums on three-door variants can seize, so ensure the handbrake holds firmly on a hill test.