2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5L Diesel · YN67 TPX

A pattern of front-end suspension wear sits at the centre of this Fiesta's mechanical record, with the trend notably worsening over the last three tests. The 2023 pass was accompanied by advisories on both front suspension arm pins or bushes and both front tyres wearing close to the legal limit on their edges. By the 2024 test, those suspension components had deteriorated into Major defects on the offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint and offside front suspension arm ball joint, both recorded as excessively worn. The same visit also failed on a nearside front headlamp not functioning on dipped beam, a headlamp aim that could not be tested, and a malfunctioning tyre pressure monitoring system. A re-test shortly afterwards cleared the lighting and TPMS issues, but the suspension advisories from the earlier pass indicate a component group that has now crossed into outright failure territory at relatively modest mileage. The mileage profile is broadly typical for a nine-year-old supermini, averaging around 7,800 miles per year with no obvious gaps or surges between annual tests. The recorded readings climb steadily from the 2020 test through to the latest 2025 entry, with no periods of non-use that would raise concerns about seized brakes, perished fuel lines, or stale fluids. At this annual accumulation, the vehicle sits in a middle ground where consumables such as tyres and brake components are likely to require attention, and where suspension joints and bushes begin to show wear consistent with age rather than excessive use. The absence of corrosion-related advisories across the entire record is also notable for a Fiesta of this vintage, which historically can suffer from rear axle and underbody corrosion. For a prospective buyer, the front suspension is the priority area to scrutinise. The offside front anti-roll bar linkage and suspension arm ball joint that failed in 2024 should have been rectified before the re-test, but it is essential to confirm exactly what work was carried out and whether aftermarket pattern parts or genuine Ford items were used, as the quality of replacement ball joints varies considerably. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks from the front end over speed bumps and uneven surfaces, pay particular attention to any knocking when turning at low speed, and feel for vagueness or vibration through the steering wheel, all of which would suggest the suspension repair has not fully resolved the wear pattern. Also check both front tyres for uneven inner or outer shoulder wear, as the 2023 advisories noted edge wear on both fronts and uneven tracking geometry often accompanies worn suspension joints on this model. The other flagged items are lower priority but worth verifying visually. Confirm that both headlamps produce a symmetrical dipped beam pattern, as the 2024 failure was accompanied by an inability to test the aim, which can indicate a damaged reflector, a misadjusted levelling motor, or a deteriorated lens. The tyre pressure monitoring system should be checked by releasing air from a front tyre and driving briefly to confirm the warning light illuminates, as TPMS sensors can fail independently of the tyres themselves. Finally, given the recorded front tyre wear on both sides, request a current wheel alignment printout or have the geometry checked, since the combination of edge wear and suspension joint deterioration suggests the tracking may have been outside specification for some time.