Hi,

I was driving my 2011 Fiesta 1.4 petrol for the first time in nearly a week (although the car had been driven during that time, just not by me) and I started to hear a strange ticking / tapping sound coming from the front of the car. At first I thought it was just me, having not driven the car in a while, and the noise seemed to go away. Thinking it was just me I continued driving without thinking about it. Further down the road, I heard the noise again. Then it stopped. This was happening on and off on my short journey.
Got home, told my Dad (he is quite good with cars). Took the car out for a spin (him driving - at foot to the floor speeds like always...) and I heard the noise about 3 or 4 times in 5 minutes. He only heard it once, his hearing isn't great, but he said that it was definitely a noise that the car hasn't made before in the 5 ish years we have had it. We have a feeling that it could be oil related, so will check the oil tomorrow (will update if the oil was the problem to help anyone else with the same problem).
Anyone have any ideas / things to check or had this on their Fiesta?

Thanks.

Also worth noting, the car was driving fine the whole time and didn't feel weird. Did have new front tyres nearly two weeks ago, but only started making the noise today.

 

New tyres fitted? Sure its not just something stupid like a stone being stuck in the tyre tread

 

Unfortunately not. Already checked all the tyres.

 

I believe the problem is now fixed. I topped up the oil and after a few minutes idling on the drive I took the car for a short drive and the noise has stopped. Hope this information can help anyone else with the same problem in the future.

Right, what I wrote above was not the problem. It turned out that the front wheel arch liners were both falling out. The passenger one only had a few of the clips still holding it in place. Ordered some new clips from eBay and problem now solved.