2015 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · SP65 XGS

A pattern of rear axle swivel pin wear dominates the mechanical history of this 2015 Ford Fiesta, and it is the single issue that any prospective buyer must take seriously. The 2020 test recorded the nearside rear swivel pin and bush as only slightly worn, but by the September 2021 test this had deteriorated into a Major failure on the nearside rear, with the component deemed excessively worn. A Major category defect at this location is not a minor advisory; it represents a significant deterioration in a load-bearing suspension linkage within a twelve-month window, which is a notably short progression. The rear sub-frame bushes were also flagged in 2019 as slightly deteriorated on both sides, suggesting that the rear axle mounting area has been a consistent source of attention across multiple tests. The latest recorded outcome on 23 September 2021 was a Pass, but it sits alongside the same-day failure entry, meaning the vehicle only achieved its pass once the headlamp aim defects and the major swivel pin issue were addressed prior to or at re-test. This combination of a recent Major defect and a multi-year advisory trail on related rear suspension components is the defining risk profile of this car. The recorded mileage of 21,043 miles over an eleven-year period equates to roughly 1,913 miles annually, which is substantially below typical usage for a Fiesta of this age. MOT records exist for 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, with no tests recorded before September 2018, suggesting either a period off the road or simply that the vehicle was not presented for testing in earlier years despite being first registered in 2015. A car covering under two thousand miles per year will experience extended periods of stationary or short-trip use, which tends to promote corrosion on brake discs, hardening of rubber components such as bushes and boots, and potentially moisture accumulation in the braking and fuel systems. It is also worth noting that there are no MOT records covering the period from late 2021 to the present, meaning the current roadworthy condition of components that were borderline at the last test cannot be confirmed from the provided data alone. Given the documented rear axle swivel pin failure, particular attention must be paid to the rear suspension on any test drive. Listen for clonking or knocking noises from the rear axle over speed humps, uneven road surfaces, and during sharp direction changes, as worn swivel pins typically generate audible impacts under load. With the vehicle unladen, attempt to rock the rear wheels vertically and laterally while raised to detect any play in the swivel pin joints, and pay close attention to whether the rear end feels vague or unstable during cornering, which can indicate worn bushes allowing excessive axle movement. The 2019 advisory noted both rear sub-frame bushes as slightly deteriorated, so any progression in this area should be checked by physical inspection beneath the vehicle for cracked, perished, or displaced rubber. The braking system warrants careful evaluation, as the 2021 failure test recorded both front brake pads as wearing thin, and low-mileage vehicles frequently suffer from corroded or scored brake discs even when pad material remains. On a test drive, apply the brakes firmly from around 40 mph and listen for any grinding, scraping, or pulsation through the pedal, which would suggest corroded disc surfaces or uneven pad wear. The headlamp aim defects flagged as Prescriptive failures in 2021, on both nearside and offside front units, suggest the headlamp adjustment mechanism may have been disturbed or worn, so verify that both dipped beams project at a level and symmetrical pattern against a wall during an evening inspection. Finally, given the tyre advisories recorded across multiple tests, including edge wear on both fronts, perished cracking on the offside rear, and nails embedded in rear tyres, all tyres should be inspected for age-related cracking, uneven wear patterns indicative of alignment or suspension issues, and any embedded damage, as recurring tyre problems often trace back to the same worn rear suspension components flagged throughout this vehicle's history.