2016 Ford Fiesta 1.0L Petrol · PF66 CFO

The defining mechanical story of this 2016 Ford Fiesta is a developing front-end wear pattern centred on the steering and suspension geometry, with the most recent test on 27 August 2026 passing but flagging slight play in both track rod end ball joints. Prior to this, the August 2025 test exposed more serious deterioration, recording a Dangerous nearside front tyre below the 1.6mm tread requirement and a Major offside front lower suspension arm ball joint excessively worn. The August 2024 test similarly highlighted inner-edge wear on the offside front tyre and outer-edge wear on the nearside rear, alongside failed wipers that cleared the screen ineffectively across both sides. Taken together, the record shows a pattern of escalating front suspension and steering component wear that has moved from advisories through Major defects to outright Dangerous non-compliance, requiring prompt rectification by any prospective buyer rather than deferral. With 80,802 miles accumulated over roughly a decade, this Fiesta averages around 8,080 miles per year, which is broadly consistent with typical UK private use for a supermini of this age. The annual test entries from 2024, 2025 and 2026 indicate the car has remained in continuous service without extended periods off the road, which is mechanically significant because regular use tends to keep seals, brakes and suspension components working as intended rather than allowing corrosion to take hold. The mileage progression between tests appears steady rather than showing any sudden spikes, suggesting normal commuting and errand use rather than heavy motorway mileage. Within that context, the wear indicators are typical for a Fiesta approaching the upper end of its expected suspension component life, where original bushes, ball joints and track rod ends commonly begin to show measurable play. For a prospective buyer, the immediate priority is a thorough inspection of the front suspension and steering assembly, with particular attention to the lower suspension arm ball joints, track rod ends, and any play in the front wheel bearings or anti-roll bar linkages. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over speed humps and uneven surfaces, which would indicate worn bushes or ball joints beyond the slight play already documented. Steering response should be checked for vagueness, looseness around the straight-ahead, or any judder through the wheel under braking, as the dual track rod end advisories suggest the steering rack connections are nearing the end of their service life. Request evidence that the August 2025 Dangerous tyre and Major suspension arm ball joint items were professionally rectified, and consider budgeting for replacement of both track rod ends and a fresh geometry alignment, since worn inner and outer joints will directly accelerate uneven front tyre wear, mirroring the inner-edge tyre deterioration already observed in 2024. Secondary checks should focus on the remaining items flagged across the history, beginning with the windscreen wiper system that failed to clear the screen effectively on both sides in 2024; verify that the wiper blades, arms and linkage operate smoothly without smearing, and inspect the wiper motor for any hesitation or slow return. Examine all four tyres closely for uneven shoulder wear, particularly inner-edge deterioration on the front axle which would confirm the camber or tracking issues suggested by the 2024 advisories. A raised ramp inspection is advisable to check for any corrosion on the front subframe, brake pipes and suspension mounting points, as a ten-year-old Fiesta can develop surface oxidation in these areas even with regular use. Finally, confirm the current tread depths across the full tyre width with a proper gauge, and ensure the brake discs and pads show even wear rather than lipping or binding, given the front-end steering and suspension components that have recently required attention.