2011 Ford Fiesta 1.4L Diesel · OY61 AWJ

A recurring pattern of tyre structural failures and a persistent exhaust leak define the mechanical profile of this 2011 Ford Fiesta. The most recent test on 18 December 2024 resulted in a pass alongside a same-day failure that recorded a dangerous offside rear inner tyre with exposed ply or cords, mismatched rear tyre sizes on the same axle, an inoperative nearside front position lamp, and the same ongoing exhaust leak. Looking back through the history, the dangerous tyre defects have been a recurring theme rather than a one-off: a nearside rear tyre tear and nearside front tyre lump were flagged as dangerous in December 2022, and an offside front inner tyre with exposed cords was recorded in December 2023. The exhaust leak advisory has appeared at every test since December 2023, having now been logged three consecutive years. Steering free play was also noted in the most recent test, echoing the steering rack roughness first flagged in March 2020, which suggests the wear in the steering assembly has progressed rather than resolved. With 149,109 miles recorded over fifteen years, the Fiesta has covered an average of approximately 9,941 miles per year, which sits broadly within the expected range for a car of this age and use. There are no prolonged gaps in the MOT history to suggest extended periods off the road, so the recorded mileage is likely to be a fair representation of actual use. The relatively even annual accumulation means wear-related advisories can be interpreted with some confidence against the mileage shown. Sustained use of this kind places ongoing demand on suspension bushes, coil springs, brake discs and pads, engine and gearbox mountings, and the catalytic converter, all of which on a fifteen-year-old vehicle will have absorbed significant cumulative stress. Given the specific components flagged, a prospective buyer should focus the test drive and physical inspection on those exact areas. For the steering, with the steering rack free play and column top bearing wear both recorded across multiple tests, listen for any clonking or rattling through the steering wheel on uneven surfaces, feel for excessive slack before the wheels respond to input, and check for any unevenness or roughness when turning lock to lock at low speed. With tyre structural failures having appeared on three separate occasions across different axles, inspect all four tyres and the spare closely for bulges, cracks in the sidewalls, uneven shoulder wear, and confirm the size markings match across the same axle; mismatched tyres were a failure item in both 2023 and 2024. Brake pedal feel should also be checked, as front brake disc pitting was noted in December 2021, and any judder under braking or vibration through the steering wheel would warrant further investigation of the discs and pads. The exhaust system warrants particular attention due to the leak advisory that has persisted since 2023. Listen at idle for any ticking or hissing from the rear section, check the joints and hangers for black soot deposits indicating a worsening seal, and inspect the mounting rubbers for deterioration, as a Fiesta of this age with over 149,000 miles is approaching the typical service life for an original rear exhaust section. Electrical items have been a consistent source of advisories and failures, with inoperative position lamps and headlamp issues recorded in 2023 and 2024, and discoloured front indicators noted in 2022, so all exterior lighting including the high-level stop lamp should be verified before purchase. The battery carrier defect, although classed as minor, should also be confirmed as properly secured, and the general condition of the battery terminals checked for corrosion given the age of the vehicle.