2011 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · S3 CEV

The vehicle history shows a fluctuating maintenance trend with recurring issues regarding suspension and braking components. In the most recent test in January 2026 at 49,599 miles, the car passed with no recorded defects. However, the test just two months prior at 49,596 miles resulted in a failure due to a nearside shock absorber leak and a tear on the nearside rear tyre. The tester also noted minor damage on the offside rear tyre and indicated that the nearside brake pads had reached their structural limit. The subsequent pass suggests the previous owner addressed these critical safety items immediately following the failed inspection. With 49,599 miles recorded over 15 years, this Fiesta has covered an average of approximately 3,300 miles per year. This low usage profile often leads to the degradation of rubber components due to age, which is consistent with the advisories for shock absorber leaks and corrosion found in earlier records. The mileage gap between the January 2025 and 2026 tests is minimal, representing only 537 miles, indicating the vehicle is driven infrequently. Such patterns can result in seized brake calipers or accelerated corrosion on the exhaust system despite the low mechanical mileage. The record from 2024 and 2025 highlights a history of brake imbalance issues and suspension wear. In January 2025 at 48,054 miles, the tester flagged a nearside brake binding and noted excessive wear on the rear axle bushes. While the 2026 MOT is clean, a prospective buyer should still inspect the suspension geometry and the underside for structural rust, as these have appeared as concerns in previous years. The recurring nature of the shock absorber leaks suggests that while the vehicle is currently roadworthy, the damping components are beginning to age out regardless of the low mileage.