2016 Ford Fiesta 1.0L Petrol · WM66 NNF

A 2016 Ford Fiesta carrying just 27,432 miles across roughly a decade presents an MOT record that is notably sparse on diagnostic detail, though that in itself reflects a positive outcome rather than an absence of inspection. Across five recorded DVSA tests between late 2022 and December 2025, the vehicle has passed on every occasion, with the most recent assessment on 1 December 2025 returning a clean pass and no advisories whatsoever. The intervening failure dated 2 December 2024 was recorded with no defects logged, suggesting either a retest following a same-day rectification or an administrative entry rather than a substantive mechanical issue. The overall trend is one of consistent roadworthiness, with no recurring advisory patterns to indicate developing wear in any specific subsystem, which is reassuring given the Fiesta's age and its known vulnerabilities in areas such as rear axle corrosion, front suspension bushes, and exhaust mounting points. With an average annual accumulation of around 2,743 miles, this Fiesta has seen exceptionally light service for a ten-year-old vehicle, falling well below the typical 6,000 to 8,000 miles per year expected of a commuter-grade supermini. Such low usage carries its own mechanical implications, particularly for a naturally aspirated petrol engine of this era: prolonged standing periods can promote moisture accumulation in the engine oil, flat-spotting of tyres, drying and cracking of rubber seals and gaiters, and surface corrosion on brake rotors. Annual MOT testing has nonetheless confirmed that none of these typical low-mileage concerns have yet manifested into testable defects, though the absence of advisories does not preclude their gradual development. The gap between the 2023 and 2024 tests is consistent with normal twelve-month intervals, and there is no evidence of the vehicle being laid up off-road for extended multi-year stretches. From a buyer's perspective, the immediate concern with a low-mileage Fiesta of this vintage should be the condition of components that degrade through age rather than use. On a test drive, pay particular attention to the behaviour of the clutch, which can seize on the release bearing if the car has spent long periods stationary, and listen for any judder or grabbing during pull-away in first and second gear. Inspect all four tyres for signs of uneven shoulder wear or cracking in the sidewalls, as both indicate ageing rubber regardless of remaining tread depth. Check the brake pedal feel for excessive sponginess or travel, and on the road listen for any squeal or grinding under light application that would suggest corroded brake pad backing plates or seized caliper slide pins, both common after long periods of disuse. Inspect under-bonnet ancillary items including drive belts for surface cracking, and verify that the cooling system pressurises correctly with no evidence of coolant weep marks around the thermostat housing or water pump. Finally, although the MOT history is commendably free of structural corrosion advisories, a Fiesta of this age remains susceptible to rust developing around the rear axle mounting points, wheel arches, and underfloor seams. A physical inspection on a ramp or with a torch aimed at the sill seams and subframe faces is advisable, looking for any bubbling paint or flaking surface that would precede the kind of corrosion failure an MOT examiner would eventually flag. Listen carefully over speed humps and uneven road surfaces for any clonks from the front suspension, particularly from the lower wishbone bushes and anti-roll bar drop links, which are known wear items on the MK7 Fiesta platform. Verify that the steering is precise without vibration through the wheel, and confirm that the engine returns to a smooth tickover promptly from cold, as a low-mileage unit that has been started only occasionally may exhibit rough running until the management system recalibrates.