2011 Ford Fiesta 1.6L Petrol · R5 BAG

The 2011 Ford Fiesta presents a mixed but broadly stable mechanical picture following its most recent MOT pass on 16 May 2026 at 120,119 miles. The maintenance trend is one of gradual wear rather than acute neglect. Two minor advisories carried over from the previous failure: a non-functioning nearside rear stop lamp element and a slightly worn offside rear axle swivel pin and bush. The tester flagged no new safety-critical defects. Crucially, the front suspension issues that caused the May 2026 failure, a worn nearside front lower suspension arm ball joint and excessive play in the nearside front track rod end, were rectified before the retest just nine days later. This suggests a responsive owner who addressed the failure promptly rather than ignoring it. The mileage accumulation of roughly 8,000 miles per year is entirely typical for a fifteen-year-old supermini. The record shows a steady climb from 105,986 miles in May 2024 to 113,301 miles in May 2025, then to 120,119 miles by May 2026, indicating consistent daily use rather than prolonged standing. No suspicious gaps or sudden jumps appear in the data. The annual mileage pattern supports normal wear expectations for consumable components including tyres, brakes, and suspension joints at this stage of the vehicle's life. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front suspension and steering linkage. The nearside front lower arm ball joint and track rod end were flagged as excessively worn in both the 2025 and 2026 failure cycles, suggesting this corner of the vehicle endures disproportionate stress, possibly from kerb strikes or deteriorated road surfaces. Check the offside rear axle swivel pin and bush area for play, as this advisory has persisted across consecutive tests without being formally repaired. Examine the nearside rear lamp cluster closely, since the stop lamp defect also recurred between the failed and passed tests, pointing to a possible wiring or connector issue rather than a simple bulb replacement. Tyre condition warrants attention too. Both the 2025 failure and the 2025 advisory flagged damaged and perishing tyres on the nearside front and offside rear. At 120,000 miles with consistent annual use, the current set may be approaching the end of their service life. Inspect sidewalls for cracking and check the date codes to confirm whether the rubber is original or recently replaced. Overall, the Fiesta appears mechanically sound for its age, but the recurring front-end wear items justify a thorough on-the-ground inspection before purchase.