2016 Ford Fiesta 1.0L Petrol · MW66 OEV

A recurring pattern of front-axle wear emerges across the MOT history of this 2016 Ford Fiesta, with advisories appearing on almost every annual test since 2021. The most recent examination on 1 September 2026 recorded a clean pass with no defects, which breaks the streak of annual advisories and suggests the tyre and brake items flagged in prior years have been addressed. Nevertheless, the consistency of the warnings over five consecutive tests points to a vehicle that places repetitive load on its front-end consumables, and a prospective buyer should not treat the clean 2026 result as conclusive evidence that the underlying wear pattern has fully resolved. The recorded odometer reading of 54,090 miles against a ten-year age equates to approximately 5,400 miles annually, a notably low accumulation that is roughly half what would be expected for a Fiesta of this vintage. There are no unexplained gaps in the testing record, with annual tests recorded consistently from 2019 through 2026, which confirms the vehicle has remained in regular use rather than laid up for extended periods. Low annual mileage of this nature reduces wear on high-mileage items such as the clutch, drivetrain and exhaust internals, but it can accelerate sidewall deterioration on tyres, corrosion on infrequently moved brake components, and flat-spotting or perishing of rubber due to prolonged standing. The historical advisories on tyre cracking and edge wear align with this usage profile, where urban low-speed cornering loads the front shoulders disproportionately. The advisories on nearside and offside front tyres across 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025 indicate a chronic tendency toward edge wear rather than even tread consumption, typically symptomatic of incorrect tracking, worn suspension bushes, or slightly misaligned geometry. On a test drive, listen for any clonking or knocking from the suspension over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, and pay particular attention to steering response, as any vagueness, drift, or delayed return to centre could suggest the offside track rod end play noted in 2024 has progressed. The 2024 advisory specifically recorded slight play at the offside track rod end ball joint, which warrants a physical check on a hoist for rotational freeplay in the joint and excessive movement in the surrounding bushings before purchase. Steering pull to one side under braking or on a level motorway run should also be investigated as it may indicate worn front lower wishbone bushes, a known Fiesta weak point at this age. The 2022 advisory cluster on the braking system warrants close attention, with both front discs recorded as pitted or scored and both front pads noted as wearing thin. Although no further brake-related advisories have appeared since, the fact that both sides were flagged simultaneously suggests a caliper slide or guide pin issue rather than simple pad wear. On inspection, feel through the brake pedal for any excessive travel, sponginess, or judder under firm application, and listen for any grinding or scraping that might indicate a binding slider. Off-road, examine the front discs for a visible lip on the outer edge and check for uneven pad deposition. The rear tyre cracking advisory from 2022 is consistent with age-related rubber deterioration and a close visual check of sidewall condition, paying particular attention to flex area cracking, is advisable on any tyres that may still be the originals. Finally, given the vehicle's low mileage, confirm the timing belt or chain service interval status, the age of the coolant and brake fluid, and ensure the clutch bite point remains high and firm, as low-use clutches can seize on the release bearing.