2011 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · SV61 MLU

This 2011 Ford Fiesta carries a history of recurring front suspension, steering, and brake defects, with the most recent test cycle in October 2025 exposing dangerous front brakes — discs seriously weakened and pads worn below 1.5 mm — alongside a worn nearside front suspension arm ball joint and a perished ball joint dust cover on the offside. The vehicle passed on the same date, indicating rectification, but this mirrors a pattern seen in November 2021, when it failed on both track rod ends, an anti-roll bar drop link, an incorrectly mounted offside front inner brake pad, and, most significantly, excessive corrosion in the offside suspension mounting area of the sill that was judged to significantly reduce structural strength. That structural corrosion is the defining concern in this record: it was repaired sufficiently to pass in 2021, but corrosion of this type on a 15-year-old Fiesta rarely stays resolved, and the 2024 advisory for corroded fuel pipes running front to rear, plus a 2021 advisory for a corroded nearside front brake pipe, confirm that underside deterioration is an ongoing theme rather than a one-off. Recorded mileage stands at 95,271 miles, averaging roughly 6,350 miles per year, which is typical for the age and consistent with the steady annual test rhythm each November, with no significant gaps in the record. The usage pattern is unremarkable in itself, but moderate annual mileage on a car of this age still accumulates wear on suspension bushes, ball joints, and brake components, which is precisely what the failure history reflects. The repeated appearance of worn ball joints, track rod ends, and drop links across 2021 and 2025 suggests these are wear items being replaced as they fail rather than the car receiving preventative attention, and the 2022 advisories for both front tyres worn on their inner edges point to possible tracking or suspension geometry issues at that time. A prospective buyer should prioritise a thorough underside inspection, ideally on a ramp. The offside sill and suspension mounting area repaired in 2021 must be examined closely for fresh corrosion, poor-quality welding, or filler over rust, as weakness here is a structural and safety matter, not cosmetic. The corroded fuel pipes flagged in 2024 should be checked for seepage or further deterioration, and the front brake pipes inspected along their length. Given the 2025 brake failure, verify that the front discs and pads were genuinely replaced with quality parts — look for lipped or scored discs and confirm even pad wear. On a test drive, listen for knocking or clonking from the front over uneven surfaces, which would indicate worn drop links, ball joints, or track rod ends of the type repeatedly flagged; check for steering vagueness, wandering, or uneven tyre wear suggesting alignment problems; and feel for brake pedal judder or pulling under braking, which would betray warped discs or a binding caliper. The 2022 advisory for a minor exhaust leak at the back box joint and the discoloured indicators are minor points, but worth confirming were addressed. Overall this is a usable but corrosion-prone example whose roadworthiness has depended on reactive repairs; the price should reflect the likelihood of further suspension and underside expenditure.