2015 Ford Fiesta 1.0L Petrol · SW15 YOT

A pattern of brake and exhaust-related advisories, culminating in a dangerous defect at the most recent attempt, defines the mechanical picture for this 2015 Ford Fiesta. On 2026-05-04 the vehicle failed its MOT with a dangerous defect for a missing fuel tank exhaust shield, a component designed to protect the fuel system from heat damage and one whose absence creates an immediate fire risk. A major defect was also recorded for a malfunctioning tyre pressure monitoring system. Just three days later, on 2026-05-07, the car returned and passed after remedial work, but the same advisory conditions remained in place: front brake pads wearing thin, an offside rear coil spring showing corrosion, and a front brake disc with corrosion, pitting, and scoring. A broken nearside front headlamp bracket was additionally flagged at the retest. The earlier history is comparatively quiet, with clean passes in 2025 and 2024 and only a single advisory in 2023 for an inner tyre close to the legal limit, so the recent cluster represents a clear escalation rather than a long-standing trend of degradation. Recorded mileage stands at 81,686 miles across approximately 11 years of use, which equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 7,400 miles per year. This is broadly typical for a vehicle of this age and means the Fiesta has been in consistent service rather than left dormant for extended periods. There are no significant gaps in the testing history that would suggest prolonged lay-ups, and the mileage progression between annual tests appears steady. Mechanically, this level of use places moderate but not extreme demand on consumables such as brake friction material, tyres, and suspension bushes, and the brake-related advisories now appearing are consistent with components reaching the end of their service life at this mileage point. The coil spring corrosion is also a reasonable finding for a Fiesta of this age exposed to typical UK road conditions. For a prospective buyer, the priority areas are the braking system and the rear suspension. The front brake pads and disc should be inspected for remaining material thickness and visible lipping respectively, and the caliper slide pins should be checked for freedom of movement, as binding calipers are a common cause of uneven pad wear on this model. On a test drive, listen for any brake squeal under light application and feel for vibration or pulsation through the steering wheel or brake pedal under harder stops, which would indicate the pitted and scored disc reaching a point where it requires replacement. The offside rear coil spring corrosion warrants a physical inspection from underneath the vehicle to establish whether surface corrosion has progressed to structural weakening, as corroded springs can fracture and cause a sudden change in ride height. With the vehicle unloaded, push down firmly on each rear corner and release; a failed or weakened spring will typically produce an audible clonking noise and visible movement before settling. The dangerous defect for the missing fuel tank exhaust shield should be confirmed as fully rectified by inspecting the area beneath the rear of the vehicle for the shield's presence and correct fitment, along with any associated retaining clips or fixings. The tyre pressure monitoring system fault should also be verified as resolved, either by checking for a warning light on the dashboard during ignition or by confirming that all four tyres register pressures correctly through an appropriate diagnostic tool. Given that a damaged or cracked headlamp bracket was also flagged, the nearside front headlamp unit should be checked for any looseness, vibration when driving over rough surfaces, or misalignment of the beam pattern, and the retaining clips replaced if compromised. Finally, the recent front tyre advisory from 2023 should prompt a check of the inner shoulder for uneven wear, which on Fiestas of this generation can indicate worn suspension bushes or worn steering rack mounting bushes, both worth inspecting before purchase.