2016 Ford Fiesta 1.0L Petrol · YL66 AEZ

The latest official DVSA test recorded on 10 December 2025 shows a pass with no advisories or defects, however the same date also carries a fail notice for a Major defect on the nearside front track rod end ball joint showing excessive play. The fact that a pass and fail are recorded on the identical date strongly suggests the vehicle was presented, failed on the steering component, was repaired, and then immediately re-tested and passed the same day. Looking at the wider trend across 2023 to 2025, the maintenance picture is deteriorating rather than improving. The 2023 test passed with advisories for both rear tyres wearing close to the legal limit, the 2024 test failed on a nearside front lower suspension arm ball joint and a non-functional nearside stop lamp alongside the same rear tyre advisories, and the 2025 test now shows a further steering linkage failure on the nearside front track rod end. A clear pattern of recurring nearside front suspension and steering wear is emerging, which warrants close scrutiny from any prospective buyer. Recorded mileage stands at 101,861 miles on a ten year old vehicle, equating to an annual average of approximately 10,186 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a supermini of this age and therefore neither notably low nor excessively high. There are no obvious signs of the vehicle standing unused for extended periods, nor any evidence of unusually rapid accumulation between tests that would suggest a heavy motorway or fleet use profile. Mechanically, this mileage band places the car squarely in the zone where original engine, gearbox, and clutch components may be approaching the upper end of their service life, and where suspension, braking, and drivetrain consumables will have already required multiple renewals. The annual test frequency of roughly twelve to thirteen months is consistent with normal private usage rather than commercial or taxi operation. Given the recurring advisories on both rear tyres wearing close to the legal limit and on the edge across consecutive tests, a buyer should carefully inspect the remaining tread depth and shoulder condition on all four corners, as edge wear is often symptomatic of either incorrect wheel alignment, worn rear suspension bushes, or a bent component allowing the camber or toe to drift out of specification. On a test drive, listen for any clonking or knocking from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, particularly on the nearside, as this would indicate that the lower arm ball joint replacement may not have resolved the underlying wear pattern. The steering should be checked for looseness, wandering, or vibration through the wheel, and the vehicle should track straight without pulling, as the track rod end failure recorded in 2025 is a safety-critical item that if improperly repaired can lead to imprecise handling and accelerated inner-edge tyre wear. Beyond the documented defects, a ten year old Fiesta at this mileage requires thorough age-related inspection regardless of the MOT outcome. Brake discs should be examined for lipping, corrosion ridges, and any evidence of binding calipers, particularly if the car has spent time standing, and the brake fluid should be considered due for renewal based on calendar age rather than just mileage. The 12V battery is very likely approaching the end of its service life and should be load tested, the coolant and timing belt or chain service history should be verified against the service book, and the exhaust system should be raised on a ramp to check for corrosion at the mounting rubbers and joints. Underbonnet hoses, the cam belt or chain cover, and the condition of all drive belts deserve visual confirmation, and a thorough road test should be conducted paying particular attention to clutch bite point, gearbox synchro smoothness on downchanges, and any warning lights on the dashboard which would require diagnostic interrogation before purchase.