2016 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · RF06 DEC

A developing pattern of rear suspension and front brake wear defines the mechanical picture of this 2016 Ford Fiesta, with the most recent test on 10 August 2026 passing only after a prior failure that same day addressed a non-functioning nearside front dipped headlamp and an excessively worn nearside front suspension arm axle bush. The advisories logged at that visit are particularly telling: both rear coil springs show corrosion, and the front brake discs are pitted and scored. The rear trailing arm bush concern first appeared in 2024, was reclassified as slightly worn swivel pin bushes in 2025, and then escalated to a major defect in 2026, indicating that the rear axle articulation components have been steadily degrading rather than being rectified. A nearside front tyre edge wear advisory in 2024 and a slight play in the offside front track rod end at the same test suggest that the front geometry and tyre wear pattern were already showing early signs of misalignment or worn steering joints a couple of years ago, items that warrant close re-examination now. With 81,205 miles recorded over ten years, this Fiesta is accumulating roughly 8,100 miles annually, which is broadly typical for a car of this age and segment. There are no extended gaps between annual tests in the supplied history, and the mileage progression between 2023 and 2026 is consistent with steady everyday use rather than long periods of standing or sudden long-distance accumulation. Mechanically, this level of use is sufficient to wear out original rubber bushes, coil springs, and brake components, and the pattern of advisories aligns with what one would expect from a Fiesta of this mileage that has not had its rear suspension refreshed. The absence of any recorded advisories relating to corrosion on the underbody, subframe, or brake lines is a positive point, suggesting the structural and hydraulic items remain sound for the time being. A prospective buyer should focus heavily on the rear suspension, as the rear axle swivel pins, trailing arm bushes, and coil springs have all been flagged in successive tests. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks from the rear over uneven road surfaces, particularly over speed humps and broken tarmac, and feel for any vagueness or shimmy in the rear end under cornering. Examine the rear springs visually for flaking or coating loss near the coils, and push down firmly on each rear corner to check that the vehicle settles cleanly without a secondary bounce. At the front, the previous track rod end play and front tyre edge wear warrant a close look at the current tyre shoulder patterns and a check for steering wander or uneven tyre feathering, while the scored front brake discs should be evaluated for judder under heavy braking and measured for thickness, as worn discs may soon require replacement. The dipped headlamp failure from the same-day retest should be verified as properly resolved by inspecting both headlamp beams for correct alignment, brightness, and pattern, and confirming that any underlying wiring or connector corrosion at the nearside front lamp has been addressed. Given the cumulative suspension wear, a prudent buyer would budget for replacement of the rear coil springs, rear trailing arm bushes, and possibly the front brake discs in the near term, and should request evidence of any rectification work already carried out since the August 2026 test. A raised inspection on a ramp at a specialist familiar with the Fiesta platform would be highly advisable to confirm the full extent of the rear axle wear and to check for any related play in the rear beam mounting points before committing to purchase.