2010 Ford Fiesta 1.4L Petrol · MW10 CKN

The 2010 Ford Fiesta presents a mixed maintenance picture following its most recent MOT on 9 June 2025 at 53,915 miles. That initial test failed on a blown Nearside Front dipped beam headlamp and two steering rack defects. The same vehicle passed a retest later that same day at the identical mileage after the headlamp bulb was evidently replaced, but the tester still flagged the Nearside Front steering rack gaiter as damaged and twisted, along with slight play in the Offside Front rack end. These steering defects were not rectified between the fail and pass. The trend is therefore stable but unresolved. The rack gaiter fault has persisted across at least two consecutive annual tests, and the rack end play is a new development appearing in 2025 that was absent in the clean 2023 pass at 43,634 miles. The mileage profile is notably low for a vehicle of this age. At roughly 3,370 miles per year over sixteen years, this Fiesta has seen light use. The record shows a gap of approximately 6,000 miles between June 2023 and June 2024, then a jump of around 4,200 miles in the following twelve months. Sparse annual entries make it difficult to confirm whether the car sat unused for extended periods, but the low overall accumulation suggests drivetrain and suspension components may have aged more than worn. Light use vehicles can develop dried-out rubber bushes, seized fixings, and corroded brake components from standing rather than from mileage. The recurring steering rack gaiter defect warrants close physical inspection. A damaged gaiter allows road grit and moisture into the rack, accelerating wear on the rack itself and the inner tie rod ends. The new offside rack end play flagged in 2025 suggests this deterioration may be progressing. A buyer should check for uneven tyre wear on the front axle, clunking over bumps, and excessive free play at the steering wheel. The headlamp fault appears to have been a simple bulb failure, but both headlamp lenses should be inspected for haze or moisture ingress that could indicate deeper electrical issues. Beyond the MOT flags, a buyer should examine the underside for corrosion given the vehicle's age, paying attention to suspension mounting points, subframe mounting areas, and brake line runs. Low-mileage cars of this vintage often suffer from perished suspension bushes and seized brake calipers rather than worn-out components. A test drive should assess whether the handbrake holds firmly on a gradient and whether the brake pedal feels firm without sinking, as binding rear brakes are common on lightly used Fiestas that have stood for long periods.