2015 Ford Ecosport 1.0L Petrol · SC15 JVM

The most recent DVSA MOT test on 23 June 2026 recorded a Pass, but the vehicle carried five advisories that warrant close attention. The pattern across the last three tests shows a clear deterioration in condition rather than a stable or improving maintenance trend. While the 2023 and 2025 tests returned clean results with no advisories recorded, the 2024, 2026, and earlier 2021 tests all flag recurring issues around exhaust integrity, brake discs, fuel pipe corrosion, and underbody corrosion. The October 2022 test episode is particularly relevant: the vehicle failed outright with a major defect on the front brake discs alongside a dangerous failure for parking brake efficiency below 50 percent and a major brake imbalance across the front axle. Although the car subsequently passed, the front brake components have now been flagged again as pitted and scored at the latest test, suggesting that brake wear on the front axle remains an ongoing concern for this vehicle. At 78,359 recorded miles over approximately 11 years, this Ecosport has covered around 7,124 miles annually, which is broadly typical for its age and use class. There are no extended gaps in the MOT record that would suggest prolonged standing, and the mileage progression between annual tests appears consistent with steady mixed usage. There is no evidence of unusually low accumulation that would raise specific concerns about seized calipers from disuse, nor any indication of abnormally rapid mileage that would suggest hard motorway use. The usage profile is essentially average, meaning standard age-related wear on consumables and suspension components should be expected. The recurring advisories around fuel pipe and filler neck corrosion are the most significant structural concerns. A corroded rear fuel pipe was noted in 2021 and again in 2026, and the fuel filler neck itself was flagged in 2024, which together suggest progressive underbody oxidation that may require eventual pipe replacement for safety and emissions compliance. On inspection, a buyer should look for any signs of fuel smell, damp staining along fuel lines, or visible rust flaking on underbody pipework. The general corrosion advisory noted under the car at the 2026 test reinforces the importance of a thorough underside examination on a ramp, paying particular attention to floor pan integrity, subframe mounting points, and suspension arm seams. The central exhaust leak advisory indicates the pipe joint or flexi section is beginning to fail; listen for an exhaust tick on cold start that may change with engine warmth, and check for black soot traces around the joint. The front brake discs were a major failure point in 2022 and have been flagged as worn or pitted at every subsequent test, indicating the discs are being worked hard or that pad selection has been marginal. A test drive should include repeated firm braking from around 40 mph to check for brake shudder through the steering wheel, which would confirm disc runout beyond serviceable limits, and the vehicle should pull up in a straight line without pulling to either side. The nearside front tyre advisories for cracking and edge wear in 2024, combined with the 2026 advisory on both rear tyres perishing, point to age-related sidewall degradation; check all four tyres carefully for hairline cracking in the sidewall grooves and confirm the DOT date codes are within the last few years, as rubber older than six years from the date code should be replaced regardless of tread depth. Finally, given the vehicle is now over a decade old, verify the age of the 12V battery, ensure a full service history with evidence of brake fluid replacement at the recommended two-year intervals, and confirm that the cambelt or timing chain service interval has been observed, as a neglected timing chain on the EcoBoost variants can lead to expensive engine damage.