2016 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · PL65 SYG

A recurring cluster of front suspension and brake wear advisories, alongside two stop lamp failures, defines the MOT profile of this 2016 Ford Fiesta, with the most recent test on 29 January 2026 passing but accompanied by an advisory for a lipped front brake disc and a damaged offside front seat belt stalk, while the same date also records a failure for an excessively worn nearside front suspension arm ball joint and a non-functioning offside rear stop lamp. The ball joint issue is particularly noteworthy as it had already been flagged as having slight play in February 2025, indicating a progressive deterioration from advisory to major defect within twelve months. A second stop lamp failure on the same side occurred in February 2024, classified as a dangerous defect at that time, which suggests an intermittent electrical fault rather than a simple bulb replacement. The 2026 pass is therefore conditional on the suspension arm repair being carried out correctly, and the stop lamp issue should be confirmed as fully resolved rather than temporarily bypassed for the test. With seven recorded tests from 2021 through 2026 and a recorded odometer reading of 46,593 miles, the Fiesta has covered approximately 4,659 miles annually over its ten-year life, which is well below average and suggests extended periods of stationary use rather than regular driving. Mechanically, low accumulation rates of this nature tend to accelerate degradation of rubber components such as suspension bushes, ball joints, and tyre sidewalls due to prolonged static loading, and the recorded front suspension ball joint wear aligns with this pattern. There are no significant gaps in the testing record, with annual submissions from 2021 onward providing a consistent year-on-year snapshot, although the absence of any mileage progression data between tests makes it difficult to confirm whether the vehicle has been used continuously or laid up for periods. A prospective buyer should prioritise a physical inspection of the front suspension, specifically asking for the nearside front arm ball joint to be demonstrated as replaced with a documented invoice, and checking the offside counterpart for any similar play as it has now covered similar mileage. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, and pay particular attention to any vague steering response or wandering at speed, as worn ball joints frequently produce these symptoms before becoming visibly loose on a ramp. The front brake disc advisory should prompt a visual inspection of both disc faces for a pronounced outer lip and any corrosion pitting around the hat area, with a spongy or pulsating brake pedal under firm application indicating the need for disc replacement rather than just pad inspection. The persistent rear stop lamp issue warrants verification of the entire electrical circuit, including the bulb holder, earth point, and wiring loom at the rear hatch hinge area, which is a known fatigue point on this generation of Fiesta. Confirm that both tailgate-mounted bulbs illuminate consistently when the brake pedal is pressed and that the high-level third brake lamp is functional. The damaged offside front seat belt stalk should be checked to ensure the belt still extends and retracts smoothly without fraying, and that the anchor point remains secure. Finally, given the low annual mileage, inspect all four tyres for signs of sidewall cracking or flat-spotting from prolonged parking, examine the underside for any corrosion on the subframe and brake pipes, and check the exhaust mounting rubbers and CV boot gaiters for perishing, as these rubber components suffer disproportionately when a vehicle is used infrequently.