2011 Ford Fiesta 1.6L Petrol · OY11 OSO

Progressive wear in the front suspension and steering geometry, alongside recurring minor electrical faults and emerging exhaust degradation, defines the mechanical history of this Ford Fiesta. Although the vehicle secured an MOT pass on 21 November 2025, this was achieved only after a failure three days prior due to an excessively worn offside front lower suspension arm ball joint and a failed position lamp. The overall trend indicates that while critical safety failures are addressed to secure a pass, minor defects—such as a severely deteriorated nearside front anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover and a noisy, leaking exhaust system—have been left unresolved and remain as active advisories on the latest certificate. Amassing 122,230 miles over approximately fifteen years equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 8,149 miles, which is typical for a UK supermini of this era. This steady mileage profile suggests regular, active use rather than prolonged periods of mechanical stagnation, which helps prevent issues like seized brake calipers or perished rubber components from standing idle. However, crossing the 120,000-mile threshold means the vehicle is deep within the wear cycle for major mechanical consumables. At this stage of its service life, original dampers, suspension bushes, and drivetrain seals are highly likely to be degraded, a reality reflected in the historical gearbox oil leak noted in 2023 and the progressive play recorded in the front suspension linkages over several years. A prospective buyer must pay close attention to the front suspension and braking system during a physical inspection. Although the offside front lower suspension arm was replaced to pass the last test, the nearside front anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover is split, which will allow road grit and moisture to enter, leading to rapid wear of the joint. During a test drive, the buyer should listen for metallic knocking or clicking sounds when traversing speed bumps or cornering, and feel for any steering pull or instability. The front brake pads were also flagged as wearing thin at the last test, meaning the braking system should be checked for a low fluid level, and the pedal should be tested for any spongy travel or grinding noises that would indicate the pads have worn down to the brake discs. The exhaust system and drivetrain also require careful evaluation. The exhaust has a documented history of minor gas leaks and noise, first noted in 2021 and reappearing in late 2025, which suggests ongoing corrosion or failing joints along the system. The buyer should inspect the underside for soot staining around the exhaust welds and silencer boxes, and listen for an excessively deep or blowing exhaust note under acceleration. Additionally, the gearbox area should be inspected from beneath to verify if the oil leak flagged in 2023 has worsened or if fresh fluid is pooling on the casing. Finally, because failed position lamps have caused multiple test failures, a complete functional check of the vehicle's external lighting and wiring connectors is highly recommended before purchase.