2018 Ford Fiesta 1.1L Petrol · YN68 NLM

A 2018 Ford Fiesta with this MOT history presents the reassuring picture of a car that has passed every annual test without a single failure, though a close look at the advisory ledger does highlight two minor mechanical threads worth pulling on before committing to a purchase. The most recent test on 2 December 2025 returned a pass alongside two advisories: brake fluid recorded close to the minimum mark, and an offside rear tyre showing slight damage, cracking or perishing. Combined with the 2024 advisory noting a child seat obscuring inspection of the nearside rear adult belt, the record shows a broadly stable and improving trend, but one in which age-related consumables are beginning to surface. There are no structural corrosion advisories, no suspension arm or bush warnings, and no exhaust or brake pipe concerns anywhere in the history, which is the single most important indicator for a Fiesta of this vintage where subframe and rear axle corrosion can otherwise become an issue. At 36,979 miles over roughly eight years, this Fiesta has averaged around 4,600 miles annually, a notably low accumulation rate that suggests predominantly short urban journeys rather than sustained motorway use. The mileage progression across the five recorded tests is smooth and consistent, with no sudden jumps or reductions that would raise concerns about clock integrity or extended periods off the road. Mechanically, low annual mileage of this kind generally equates to lighter wear on the clutch, drivetrain and major internal components, but it does place greater demand on parts that suffer from underuse, particularly brake components that can corrode through lack of regular application and rubber items that deteriorate with age regardless of mileage. Given the advisory for brake fluid sitting close to the minimum mark on the 2025 test, a prospective buyer should treat brake fluid replacement as an imminent service item rather than an optional one, and use that as a prompt to have the entire braking system inspected at the same time. On a test drive, listen carefully for any grinding, squealing or pulsation through the pedal when pulling away at low speed, as lightly used Fiestas are prone to corrosion on the rear brake discs and pads, which can produce binding calipers or judder under light braking. The offside rear tyre should be inspected in person for sidewall cracking or perishing, and the matching tyres checked for uneven wear which, on a car that has done predominantly low-speed urban mileage, often points to alignment issues rather than age-related rubber degradation. Beyond the items flagged directly in the MOT record, the low usage pattern makes a thorough cold-start inspection particularly worthwhile. Listen on the first start of the day for any diesel-style rattle that should not be present from a petrol engine, as well as smoke from the exhaust that does not clear within a few seconds. Check that all electrical functions operate cleanly, as low-mileage Fiestas occasionally suffer from sticky window mechanisms and weak blower motors caused by infrequent use rather than wear. Finally, examine the underside and inner wheel arches for any surface corrosion beginning to form on suspension links and the rear axle beam, even though the MOT record has not yet flagged any such issues, because the combination of age and short urban trips can accelerate underbody oxidation in areas not always visible during a standard test.