2014 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · PL14 CEU

The most recent DVSA test on 23 June 2025 resulted in a pass, but only after a prior failure on the same date for several significant defects, which should temper any confidence drawn from the final pass certificate. The failures included a non-functioning nearside dipped-beam headlamp, a split nearside front outer CV joint boot allowing ingress of dirt, and a heavily worn nearside front suspension arm ball joint, all of which are major safety items requiring immediate rectification before the vehicle was retested. Advisories from the same test also noted an offside front tyre worn down to its legal limit on the inner edge, alongside slight wear to both rear axle beam bushes. Looking back over the previous two years, the picture is one of accumulating rather than resolving issues: in 2024 an oil leak from the transmission was flagged, the same rear axle beam bushes were already showing wear, and a stop lamp failure was recorded, while in 2023 the vehicle attracted advisories for thinning front brake pads, another transmission oil leak, a worn rear sub-frame bush, and a damaged front grille. The only completely clean tests were in 2021 and 2022, suggesting that maintenance concerns have built up over the last three test cycles and the vehicle is trending towards requiring more involved intervention rather than a stable, well-kept pattern. With 125,408 miles recorded on a 2014 registration, this Fiesta has covered an average of approximately 10,450 miles per year, which sits comfortably within normal usage expectations for a car of its age and class. There is no obvious large mileage gap or unusual jump between test dates, indicating the vehicle has been in regular use rather than left standing for prolonged periods, which reduces the risk of calendar-related deterioration such as seized brake calipers, perished rubber components, or stale fluids. However, at this mileage the mechanical wear curve accelerates for certain items, particularly clutch components, suspension bushes, engine and gearbox mountings, and the dual-mass flywheel if fitted. The repeated transmission oil leak advisory is therefore worth monitoring carefully, as persistent seepage from a 125,000-mile gearbox may indicate failing seals that could progress towards a more costly repair. The MOT history points to several recurring or recent areas of concern that warrant close physical inspection and a targeted test drive. The split CV boot on the nearside front has now been addressed to pass the test, but a new split will normally allow grease to escape and contamination to enter the joint, accelerating wear of the CV itself; on a test drive, listen for a clicking or knocking noise from the front when turning at full lock, and check for fresh grease fling around the surrounding suspension components. The replacement of the nearside front suspension arm ball joint is critical, as a worn ball joint can cause vague steering, uneven tyre wear, and a knocking or clonking noise over speed humps and rough surfaces; ensure the receipt or evidence of the work is available and verify that a wheel alignment was carried out afterwards, since disturbed geometry will quickly consume the inside edges of the tyres, as already observed on the offside front. The persistent advisories on the rear axle beam bushes indicate progressive deterioration of the rear suspension; typical symptoms include a clonking or thumping from the rear over uneven roads, slight lateral wander under load, and uneven wear developing across the rear tyres. The transmission oil leak, having appeared in two consecutive tests, should be inspected from underneath for active dripping or fresh staining around the gearbox housing, sump, and seals, and a careful check of the transmission fluid level and condition is advisable, as low fluid will eventually lead to harsh or sluggish gear changes. Beyond the recorded defects, a prospective buyer should treat this Fiesta as a high-mileage example and perform a number of age- and mileage-related checks before purchase. Inspect all four tyres for both tread depth and, given the car is now twelve years old, for sidewall cracking, perishing, or bulging, as rubber degrades with age regardless of mileage and perished sidewalls are a common MoT failure point on older Fiestas. Examine the brake discs on all four corners for lipping, scoring, or surface corrosion, particularly given the car has been used regularly, and confirm the front brake pads noted as wearing thin in 2023 have been renewed, as caliper slide pins and seized slider mechanisms are also common on this model. Check the condition and age of the 12V battery, since a twelve-year-old original unit is well beyond its service life and prone to sudden failure, and verify when the coolant, brake fluid, and gearbox oil were last changed, as brake fluid is hygroscopic and should be renewed every two years while transmission fluid deterioration is relevant given the persistent leak advisories. Finally, on a road test, verify smooth clutch operation with no slipping or judder, confirm the engine starts cleanly from cold with no excessive smoke from the exhaust, and listen for any timing chain rattle on initial startup, a known weakness on later Fiesta petrol engines, while also ensuring the dashboard shows no warning lights and the air conditioning blows cold, as regassing or compressor repairs on a car of this age are commonly overlooked.