2017 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · SW17 HBG

The defining mechanical story of this 2017 Ford Fiesta is a clear and worsening pattern of front suspension and steering wear, evidenced by a cluster of Major defects recorded at the September 2025 test when the vehicle was failed for excessive play in both nearside and offside front track rod end ball joints, an excessively worn nearside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint, and an insecure track rod end dust cover that could no longer prevent dirt ingress. The vehicle was subsequently re-presented two days later on 11 September 2025 and passed with no defects recorded, indicating the work was carried out and the components rectified, but the underlying trajectory is concerning. Looking back through the record, the offside front anti-roll bar linkage was already flagged with slight play at the September 2024 test, the nearside track rod end ball joint failed with excessive play at the same 2024 visit, and the nearside front outer track rod end showed slight play as far back as August 2023. This progression from advisory to fail across multiple steering and anti-roll bar components within a two-year window suggests a systemic deterioration of the front suspension and steering assembly rather than isolated incidents, and any prospective buyer must treat this as a known risk area. With only 32,565 miles recorded over approximately nine years, this Fiesta has covered roughly 3,618 miles annually, which is well below the typical mileage for a car of this age and points to either genuinely light use or extended periods of inactivity. There are no significant gaps in annual MOT testing to suggest prolonged off-road status, so the low accumulation is more likely a reflection of modest running rather than storage. Mechanically, low annual mileage tends to reduce wear on high-cycle consumables such as clutches, brake friction material, and internal engine components, but it can accelerate the deterioration of rubber and polymer items through age-related perishing, which is consistent with the cracking observed between the treads of both rear tyres in 2023 and the front brake disc lipping noted at the same inspection. Light use also tends to promote surface corrosion on brake discs and underbody components, so these areas warrant close physical inspection despite the modest odometer reading. Given the recurring front-end issues, a thorough test drive should focus specifically on steering precision and suspension response. Listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front wheels when traversing speed humps, potholes, or uneven tarmac, particularly over the nearside, where the anti-roll bar linkage ball joint was last flagged as excessively worn. On a straight road at moderate speed, check for any wandering, drift, or pulling to one side, which would indicate worn or insufficiently tightened track rod ends following the recent repair. Freeplay in the steering before the front wheels respond, or any clunking when turning the wheel on full lock while stationary, would suggest the replacement components have not bedded in correctly or that further wear has developed since the September 2025 pass. Pay particular attention to the feel of the steering through a series of tight turns, as a juddering or binding sensation can point to degraded tie rod or track rod geometry. The 2023 advisories for slight lipping on both front brake discs and perishing on both rear tyres are now two years old and should be physically inspected for progression. With the car returning a clean bill of health only two days after its most recent failure, the braking, emissions, lighting, and structural elements appear to be in sound order, but the heat shield noted as insecure at both 2024 tests was not re-flagged at either 2025 visit, so confirm it has been properly re-secured rather than simply removed. On a test drive, the brake pedal should feel firm with no excessive travel or sponginess, and there should be no vibration through the steering wheel under braking, which would confirm the discs remain serviceable despite the previously noted lipping. Finally, inspect the underbody, particularly the front subframe, wishbones, and anti-roll bar mounting points, for any surface corrosion or component looseness, as the repeated ball joint failures may have placed additional strain on surrounding bushes and mounting hardware that would not necessarily have been recorded under the MOT inspection but could influence long-term roadworthiness.