2016 Ford Fiesta 1.0L Petrol · SC65 YLU

The vehicle is currently roadworthy but the maintenance history reveals a persistent failure to address a recurring steering defect. While the most recent test in February 2026 at 43,383 miles was a pass, the offside front track rod end ball joint still exhibited slight play. This specific fault has appeared in every annual MOT test dating back to 2023, indicating a trend where the owner has opted to monitor the component at an advisory level rather than replacing the worn part. At 43,383 miles, the Fiesta shows significantly lower mileage than the UK average for a decade old, averaging approximately 4,300 miles per year. The usage pattern appears consistent, with roughly 3,400 miles covered annually between the February 2024 and February 2026 tests. This low annual mileage suggests less mechanical strain on the engine and drivetrain, though it often correlates with age-related degradation of rubber components and springs, as evidenced by the nearside rear coil spring failure in early 2025. A buyer should conduct a thorough physical inspection of the front suspension to determine if the play in the track rod end has progressed beyond a minor stage. The previous failure in February 2025 for a fractured nearside rear coil spring and a blown stop lamp suggests that basic reactive maintenance is only performed when an MOT failure occurs. Given the recurring nature of the steering linkage issue, an inspector should check for excessive wear in bushings and ball joints to ensure the low mileage has not masked uneven structural wear across the suspension assembly.