2013 Ford Fiesta 1.0L Petrol · WX13 WPJ

The 2013 Ford Fiesta holds a valid MOT pass certificate dated 16 September 2025 at 97,903 miles, covering the vehicle through mid-September 2026. The maintenance trend is broadly stable but punctuated by recurring wear items rather than systemic mechanical failure. The most recent test still recorded a minor exhaust gas leak at 97,903 miles, mirroring a defect first flagged during the failed pre-test inspection on 10 September 2025 at 97,848 miles. That failure also identified worn rear axle swivel pins and bushes, a degraded wiper, and defective rear lighting. The fact that the exhaust leak persisted into the passed test suggests the repair was partial or the tester judged it minor enough to pass, which is common with small gas seeps at manifold joints or flexi-pipe connections on older naturally aspirated petrol engines. The mileage progression indicates consistent, moderate use. The vehicle accumulated 85,533 miles by 8 September 2022, 88,553 miles by 6 September 2023, 92,046 miles by 5 September 2024, and 97,903 miles by 16 September 2025. That equates to roughly 3,000 to 3,500 miles per year in the last three MOT cycles, following a slightly lower earlier annual average. There are no suspicious mileage gaps or sudden drops, and the recorded odometer readings align with the vehicle’s age of approximately thirteen years. The MOT record itself is well-populated with consecutive annual tests, giving a reliable maintenance timeline. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front suspension and steering joints. Both front suspension arm ball joints were flagged for slight play in September 2023 at 88,553 miles, and the rear axle swivel pins and bushes showed excessive wear on the nearside and slight wear on the offside during the September 2025 failure. These are load-bearing pivot points, and play here typically accelerates tyre wear and unsettles the car’s tracking. The front brake discs have been repeatedly noted as worn, pitted, or scored, most recently in September 2024 at 92,046 miles, suggesting either aggressive braking, poor disc quality, or long intervals between brake service. Inspect disc thickness, lip formation, and any heat cracking, and check whether the pads are unevenly worn. The exhaust system also warrants close attention. A minor gas leak was recorded in both the failed and passed tests in September 2025, and while small leaks are common on ageing Fiesta systems, they can worsen quickly at the manifold, flexi-pipe, or flange gaskets. Listen for ticking or blowing noises on cold start and visually check for soot staining. The 2023 advisory on both front tyres being worn close to the legal limit, plus a perishing offside rear tyre, indicates the car may have spent periods standing or has been driven on under-inflated rubber. Confirm the date codes and remaining tread depth on all four tyres and the spare. The nearside front wiper and rear lamp defects from the 2025 failure appear to have been rectified for the pass, but a quick function check is still prudent.