2018 Ford Fiesta 1.5L Petrol · TO05 MJS

The 2018 Ford Fiesta most recently passed its DVSA MOT test on 22 December 2025 with three advisory items recorded against it, namely nearside and offside front tyres worn close to the legal limit on the edges and rear brake pads noted as wearing thin on both sides. Prior to this, the vehicle passed cleanly on 19 December 2024, 13 December 2023, and 12 December 2022, with the only previous advisory being a minor nearside front outer tyre cut recorded on 30 November 2021. Overall, the maintenance trend appears broadly stable with no recorded failures or structural advisories, but the clustering of tyre and brake wear items on the most recent test indicates that certain consumables are now approaching the threshold where replacement is imminent. While a clean pass is reassuring, the gradual emergence of advisories suggests the car is transitioning into a phase where routine wear-and-tear items will require closer budgeting over the next 12 months. With 73,515 miles recorded over approximately eight years, the Fiesta has covered around 9,189 miles annually, which sits comfortably within the typical usage bracket for a car of its age and class. This average is neither so low as to raise immediate concerns about long-term standing damage to the brake system, underbody, or fuel and coolant seals, nor so high that it points to motorway-fleet levels of wear on the clutch, engine, or drivetrain. The mileage progression across the MOT records appears consistent and gradual, with no obvious gaps or sudden jumps that would suggest the vehicle has spent extended periods unused or, conversely, has been subject to unusually heavy recent use. Mechanically, this steady usage pattern should have kept the lubricants, brake friction surfaces, and suspension components reasonably active, reducing the risk of seized calipers, perished coolant hoses, or dried crankshaft seals, though age-related deterioration is still very much a factor on an eight-year-old supermini. Given the advisory items raised at the most recent test, a prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the front tyres and rear brakes as a matter of priority. The advisories flag both front tyres as worn close to the legal limit on the edges, which on a front-wheel-drive hatchback of this type often points to either under-inflation, slightly misaligned geometry, or worn suspension bushes allowing uneven tracking. On a test drive, listen for any clonking or knocking from the front suspension over uneven roads, particularly over speed bumps, as perished or worn anti-roll bar bushes, wishbone bushes, or drop links are common Ford Fiesta weak points at this age and mileage. The rear brake pads are also flagged as wearing thin on both sides, and although rear brake wear on a light supermini is not usually heavy, the buyer should still budget for replacement alongside the rear discs if these have corroded or lipped from use. When inspecting, look for any scoring or rust pitting on the visible edges of the rear discs, and during the road test, feel for any pulling to one side, vibration through the brake pedal, or a grinding noise under light braking which would indicate the pads are now at or below minimum thickness. Beyond the items specifically flagged by the DVSA, an eight-year-old Fiesta with typical mileage warrants a number of age- and calendar-based checks that would not necessarily show on an MOT. The 12-volt battery is likely due for replacement or at minimum load testing, as original equipment units rarely exceed five to six years of reliable service, and a weak battery can cause erratic idling and infotainment glitches on later Fiestas. Brake fluid should have been renewed at least once if not twice during the vehicle's life, as it is hygroscopic and degrades with age regardless of mileage, and similarly the coolant should have been changed within the last four to five years to prevent internal corrosion in the alloy cooling system. Inspect the underside and wheel arches carefully for any emerging corrosion, paying close attention to the rear axle, subframe, and suspension mounting points, as corrosion advisories become increasingly common on Fiestas of this vintage. Check the condition of the auxiliary drive belt for any cracking or fraying, ensure the exhaust system is free from blowing joints or corroded sections particularly around the heat shields and rear box, and confirm that the service history includes timely oil and filter changes at intervals suitable for the engine's duty cycle. Finally, verify the tyre sidewalls for any signs of perishing or cracking from age rather than wear, confirm the spare wheel or repair kit is present and serviceable, and ensure all warning lights extinguish promptly on start-up before committing to the purchase.