2010 Ford Fiesta 1.6L Petrol · OY10 WHG

A clear pattern of front and rear suspension degradation defines the mechanical history of this 2010 Ford Fiesta, with coil spring and lower arm ball joint failures appearing within a relatively short window. The most recent test on 4 December 2025 was a pass, but only marginally so, carrying forward an advisory for an offside rear coil spring already noted on the previous test. That immediately preceding test on 26 November 2025 was a fail, raising four significant items: a fractured nearside front coil spring, a high headlamp aim, an exhaust lambda reading outside specification after the second fast idle, and a minor rear exhaust gas leak. Taken together with the 2023 failure for an excessively worn offside front lower suspension arm ball joint and a major front exhaust leak, the record points to a vehicle whose front-end consumable suspension components and exhaust system have reached the typical end-of-service window for a car of this age and mileage. Against a sixteen-year working life, the recorded 110,777 miles equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 6,924 miles, which is broadly typical for a Fiesta of this vintage and suggests steady rather than intensive use. The testing pattern shows annual MOTs consistently since at least 2023, with no extended lay-up gaps evident in the supplied history, meaning corrosion findings are the result of active road exposure rather than long-term stationary storage. Mileage progression between tests cannot be precisely verified from the records provided, but the absence of any unusually long intervals between annual tests indicates the vehicle has remained in regular service, which generally means more wear on friction components, suspension bushes, and exhaust mounting points than a lower-mileage example. For a prospective buyer, the suspension advisories and failures warrant particular attention on a physical inspection and test drive. With both a fractured nearside front coil spring and a corroded offside rear coil spring flagged within weeks of each other, the remaining coils should be checked for surface pitting, section loss, or any signs of cracking, particularly at the lower pigtail where fractures typically initiate. The 2023 failure for the offside front lower arm ball joint means the wishbones and drop links should be inspected for perished bushes, torn boots, and any clonking or knocking noise when the front wheels are unloaded over speed humps or potholes. Steering response should be checked for vagueness or any shimmy under braking, as worn suspension geometry combined with the recorded brake-related advisories could mask uneven tyre wear. The light oil misting on the offside front shock absorber noted in 2024 should be re-examined to confirm it has not progressed into a wet seal, and the shock itself should be inspected for hydraulic weeping and any corresponding noise over undulating surfaces. The exhaust and emissions findings are equally relevant to a buyer’s decision. The major front exhaust leak from 2023 and the minor rear leak from late 2025 suggest the system has been patched rather than renewed, so a thorough under-vehicle check is essential to verify joint integrity, mounting bracket condition, and the state of the catalyst and lambda sensor wiring. A failed post-catalyst lambda reading indicates the sensor or catalyst efficiency may be compromised, which can present as an unstable idle, a flickering engine management light, or elevated fuel consumption. On the test drive, listen for any ticking or blowing from the exhaust under load, and confirm the headlamp aim has been corrected, as the previous failure for a nearside front lamp set too high will result in failed beam pattern checks if not properly adjusted. Finally, given the recurring advisory for an offside front tyre worn close to the legal limit and on its edge in 2023, the current tyres should be measured for even tread depth across the axle, and the wheel alignment checked to ensure no persistent geometry issue is accelerating shoulder wear.