2015 Ford Fiesta 1.0L Petrol · SC64 CFA

The most recent DVSA MOT test on 10 June 2026 resulted in a pass, although the vehicle was also presented as a failure on the same date prior to rectification. Two major defects were recorded at the failure stage that warrant careful attention. The offside rear stop lamp was non-functional, which is typically a straightforward bulb or wiring concern, but the second major is far more serious: the offside rear outer vehicle structure exhibited excessive corrosion within 30cm of the rear suspension arm mounting point on the sill. This represents a structural integrity concern that could indicate the beginning of chassis-level corrosion. Advisories at the same test noted tyre wear approaching legal limits at both rear and offside front positions, alongside a deteriorated exhaust flexi. Reviewing the broader MOT history, the maintenance trend is clearly worsening rather than stable. Across the 2023, 2025, and 2026 tests there have been recurring major defects relating to front suspension components, including track rod end ball joint play and a rough front wheel bearing, along with a dangerous tyre bulge in 2025. The reappearance of an offside rear stop lamp failure in both 2023 and 2026 raises a minor question about whether an underlying wiring or earth fault has been properly resolved, and the recurring exhaust flexi advisory across 2023 and 2026 suggests this component has degraded progressively without being replaced. The recorded mileage of 63,579 miles on an 11-year-old Ford Fiesta equates to an average annual mileage of approximately 5,780 miles, which is notably low for the vehicle's age. This usage pattern suggests either predominantly short urban journeys or extended periods of standing between uses, both of which carry their own mechanical consequences. Low annual mileage typically results in less wear on major drivetrain components such as the clutch, gearbox, and engine internals, but it accelerates degradation of items that suffer from lack of use. Standing periods encourage brake disc corrosion and caliper slide seizure, exhaust system rusting from moisture accumulation, tyre sidewall perishing even where tread remains adequate, and 12V battery sulphation from insufficient charging cycles. The MOT record shows mileage progression consistent with steady but modest use, without sudden large gaps or rapid accumulation, which is reassuring in terms of overall wear expectations. For a prospective buyer, the most pressing concern arising from this MOT history is the structural corrosion advisory recorded at the 2026 test. It is essential to physically inspect the offside rear sill area and rear suspension arm mounting point, ideally with the vehicle raised on a ramp, looking for perforation, bubbling under paint, or any evidence of previous welding repairs. If the corrosion is superficial surface oxidation, it may be manageable, but serious structural corrosion within 30cm of a load-bearing mounting point can compromise crash safety and may lead to an MOT refusal in subsequent years. The front suspension components that have previously failed including the offside front track rod end, nearside front track rod end ball joint, and offside front wheel bearing should all be carefully checked by rocking the wheels and listening for any play or roughness during rotation. The advisory for front brake disc wear in 2024 and the fluctuating brake effort recorded at both 2024 and 2025 tests suggest the front braking system is approaching a service requirement; on a test drive, any brake shudder through the steering wheel, vibration under heavy braking, or pulling to one side should be noted as indicators that discs and pads require replacement sooner rather than later. The recurring exhaust flexi deterioration advisory also warrants inspection, as a failed flexi can cause exhaust gases to enter the cabin and will produce an audible ticking or blowing noise under load, particularly noticeable on cold starts. Beyond the recorded defects, several age and low-mileage related checks are strongly advisable. The tyres showing edge wear at the 2023 and 2026 tests suggest possible wheel alignment issues, and a four-wheel alignment check would be prudent given the suspension component replacements evident in the history. Despite adequate tread, tyres fitted to a vehicle of this age should be inspected for sidewall cracking or perishing, and the manufacturing date code on the sidewall should be reviewed, as rubber compounds degrade with age regardless of mileage. The battery should be load tested, as a Fiesta of this vintage frequently suffers from premature battery failure due to short trip usage patterns. All fluids including engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid should be checked for condition and service interval compliance, with brake fluid particularly susceptible to moisture absorption over time and ideally renewed every two years regardless of mileage. Finally, the supplementary restraint system warning lamp fault recorded at the 2025 failure should be confirmed as properly diagnosed and resolved, ideally by scanning the airbag control module for stored fault codes, as intermittent SRS faults can prevent airbag deployment in the event of a collision.