2017 Ford Fiesta 1.0L Petrol · SW17 AAU

The vehicle most recently passed its MOT in November 2025, although this followed a failure the previous day. A review of the historical data reveals a concerning trend of reactive maintenance, characterized by multiple major and dangerous failures immediately preceding passes. Specifically, the vehicle has suffered repeated failures of critical front-end suspension components over the last two years, suggesting that the car is only repaired when it reaches the point of legal failure rather than being maintained proactively. With a recorded mileage of 71,225 miles over approximately nine years, the vehicle has averaged around 7,914 miles per annum. This usage rate is considered typical for a vehicle of this age and class. From a mechanical perspective, this mileage indicates that the drivetrain and engine should be well within their expected operational lifespan, provided the service intervals have been adhered to, although it places the vehicle in the window where common wear and tear consumables reach the end of their primary life cycle. Prospective buyers should pay close attention to the chassis and suspension during a test drive. The history of failed ball joints and anti-roll bar linkages suggests a vulnerability in the front end; listen for metallic clunks or knocking sounds when traversing uneven surfaces or during low-speed manoeuvring. Given the previous failure of the offside rear shock absorber and the inadequate parking brake effort, the vehicle should be tested for stability under braking and the firmness of the handbrake on an incline to ensure these repairs were carried out comprehensively and not merely as a temporary fix. Further inspection should focus on the tyres and braking system. Previous advisories regarding uneven tyre wear on the rear axle indicate a potential alignment issue or worn suspension bushes that may still be present. Examine the tyre sidewalls for perishing and check the brake discs for significant corrosion or scoring. Finally, verify the service history stamps to ensure that calendar-based maintenance, such as engine oil changes and coolant flushes, has been performed, as the reactive nature of the MOT repairs suggests that other preventative maintenance may have been overlooked.