2013 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · P17 BAP

The most recent MOT on 23 March 2026 resulted in a failure, the vehicle being rejected for front headlamp aim that was too low on both nearside and off‑side units, with an additional advisory noting a nail in the nearside front tyre. Over the past four years the record shows a mixture of passes with advisory notes and several outright failures, including serious brake pad wear, a worn front disc, faulty seat‑belt buckle, non‑functioning horn and side‑repeater, and now the headlamp issue. This pattern indicates that while routine maintenance may have been performed to keep the car road‑worthy, underlying wear items have not been fully addressed, suggesting a maintenance trend that is at best stagnant and currently deteriorating. At 114,375 mi the Fiesta averages roughly 8,800 mi per year, a usage rate that sits squarely within the normal band for a thirteen‑year‑old small car. There are no obvious mileage gaps that would point to long periods of inactivity, which means the wear on consumables such as tyres, brakes and suspension components is likely to be consistent with the recorded mileage rather than accelerated by high‑speed or heavy‑load use. The moderate annual mileage does not, in itself, raise red flags, but it does mean that age‑related degradation – especially of rubber, seals and corrosion‑prone parts – must be inspected carefully. A prospective buyer should give the tyre set a thorough visual and tactile examination. The nearside front tyre contains a nail that may have compromised the carcass; confirm that the puncture has been professionally repaired and that the tyre still meets the legal tread depth of 1.6 mm across the whole width. The 2025 advisories flagged the off‑side front and nearside rear tyres as being close to the legal limit and the 2024 note mentioned cracking or perishing on the off‑side rear tyre, so check all four sidewalls for dry‑rot, cracking or bulging, and verify that the tread is even, which would also reveal any alignment issues that could have contributed to the headlamp aim failure. While on the road, listen for any low‑frequency thumps or clunks when steering over bumps, which would indicate worn sub‑frame bushings – the 2023 advisories highlighted wear on both rear sub‑frame pins that, although not yet causing excessive movement, are likely to develop into a noticeable looseness if not replaced. The brake system demands immediate attention. The 2023 dangerous failure recorded front inner pads under 1.5 mm and a significantly worn front disc; although the disc was noted as merely “worn” in 2022, the combination suggests that the pads and disc may be approaching the end of their service life. Inspect the remaining pad thickness on both sides, look for scoring or glazing on the disc surface, and be alert for pedal pulsation, squealing or a soft brake feel during a test drive. Verify that the horn produces a clear, audible tone and that the side‑repeater and seat‑belt buckle on the off‑side rear inner seat function correctly, as these were previously flagged as major faults. Finally, given the car’s age, examine the battery terminals for corrosion, test the battery voltage, and check that all fluid levels – engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and power‑steering fluid – are within specification and free of sludge, as time‑based degradation can affect reliability even on a vehicle with moderate mileage. A full service history and any recent component replacements will provide further confidence before committing to purchase.