2014 Ford Fiesta 1.0L Petrol · SN14 UCM

The most recent MOT, passed on 23 January 2026 at 100,899 miles, shows the vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance trend is mixed. The same test date produced a failure for an excessively worn offside front suspension arm ball joint alongside a pre-existing advisory for front sub-frame corrosion. That corrosion advisory, first noted in January 2025, has persisted across two consecutive annual tests at 95,837 and 100,899 miles. While the tester judged it not seriously weakened on both occasions, its recurrence signals an ongoing structural concern rather than a one-off defect. The suspension ball joint failure in 2026 is a notable deterioration from the clean pass recorded in January 2024, suggesting a worsening trend in front-end structural integrity over the last two years. The mileage progression is broadly consistent with roughly 8,400 miles per year, which is typical for a 2014 Fiesta. The vehicle covered 6,191 miles between the January 2025 test at 95,837 miles and the January 2026 test at 100,899 miles, indicating regular use without any extreme spikes or suspiciously long stationary periods. The record is complete with no gaps in annual testing, giving a reliable chronological picture of the car's mechanical condition over the last three years. The recurring front sub-frame corrosion advisory demands close physical inspection. A buyer should examine the sub-frame mounting points, cross-members, and jacking points for deep pitting or flaking rust, particularly around the rear mounts where moisture collects. The 2026 failure for a worn offside front suspension arm ball joint points to potential wear across the entire front-end linkage. The nearside ball joint, track rod ends, and wishbone bushes should all be checked for play, as uneven wear often follows once one joint deteriorates. The 2025 failure flagged excessively corroded front brake pipes marked in chalk, which may have been replaced given the subsequent pass, yet the brake lines and flexible hoses should still be inspected for fresh corrosion or weeping at the unions. Beyond these flagged items, the earlier headlamp aim and stop lamp faults from 2025 suggest minor electrical gremlins that were likely resolved but warrant a function check of all lighting circuits. The clean passes in 2024 and early 2025 indicate the car was reasonably well maintained before the recent suspension and corrosion issues surfaced. A thorough test drive over uneven surfaces, combined with a ramp inspection focused on the sub-frame, front suspension, and brake system, remains essential before purchase.