2010 Ford Fiesta 1.6L Petrol · S25 SAP

A clear and consistent pattern of structural and chassis component deterioration emerges from the MOT history of this 2010 Ford Fiesta, centred on progressive coil spring corrosion across all four corners of the vehicle. The September 2025 test at 60,641 miles recorded advisories for both rear coil springs, continuing a sequence first documented in 2021 when the same pair were flagged as corroded, and expanding in 2024 to include the front pair as well. Coil spring corrosion on a vehicle of this age and UK operating environment typically begins as surface oxidation and progresses to pitting and material loss, ultimately compromising spring integrity and ride height. The only recorded failure, in March 2019, related to a dangerous nearside front tyre with structural separation rather than any chassis or braking component, and the vehicle has passed every subsequent annual test without a further failure. Additional advisories on the front bonnet primary retaining device in 2025 and recurring front road wheel distortion first noted in 2022 and again in 2023 suggest localised body trim and wheel integrity concerns rather than systemic structural corrosion. The recorded mileage of 60,641 miles over a sixteen-year life equates to an average accumulation of approximately 3,790 miles per year, which is notably below the typical annual mileage for a small family hatchback of this era. MOT testing has been conducted annually from 2019 onwards with no significant gaps, suggesting the vehicle has remained in active but limited use throughout its life. Lower annual mileage reduces wear on high-cycle components such as the clutch, drivetrain, and engine internals, but the annual testing frequency combined with consistent coil spring advisories implies the car is subjected to regular short journeys and seasonal road salt exposure, conditions that accelerate corrosion of unprotected ferrous suspension components even when overall mileage is modest. The relatively low mileage does not insulate this Fiesta from the specific corrosion pattern observed, as standing periods combined with wet conditions can in fact accelerate oxidation on unprotected coil springs. For a prospective buyer, the most important area of physical inspection on a test drive is the suspension behaviour and ride quality. With both front and rear coil springs flagged as corroded across multiple tests, the vehicle should be driven over uneven road surfaces, speed humps, and rough tarmac while listening for clonking, knocking, or bottoming-out noises from the front and rear axle areas. Pay particular attention to whether the vehicle sits level when unladen, as advanced spring corrosion can cause one corner to sit lower than the others, and inspect the springs visually through the wheel arches for heavy pitting, flaking, or visible material loss. The 2022 advisory for slight play in the nearside front suspension arm ball joint warrants specific attention; during the test drive, listen for clonking over bumps during slow cornering and check for uneven front tyre wear, particularly inner-edge wear which has been a recurring advisory since 2019. The braking system also merits focused evaluation, as fluctuating service brake performance was flagged at the front axle in both 2019 tests and the nearside front tyre was recorded as dangerously torn at the same test. On inspection, the buyer should perform a series of moderate to firm brake applications from speed and feel for any vibration through the brake pedal, pulling to one side, or a spongy pedal feel that may indicate corroded brake discs or perished flexible brake hoses, both common issues on a vehicle of this age exposed to winter road conditions. The recurring front road wheel distortion advisories from 2022 and 2023 suggest the wheels may have been subjected to kerb impact; check each front wheel for visible run-out when spun slowly and inspect the tyres for uneven wear patterns indicative of misalignment. Finally, given the tyre cracking advisories recorded in both 2022 and 2023 on the front pair, all four tyres should be closely inspected for sidewall cracking, perishing, or bulges before purchase, as aged rubber on a low-mileage vehicle can deteriorate regardless of tread depth.