2009 Ford Mondeo 2.0L Diesel · AJ09 OSU

A persistent pattern of initial annual inspection failures across primary mechanical and safety systems defines the testing history of this Mondeo, with failures regularly recorded for braking, suspension, and emissions before repairs enabled a pass. Most recently, the vehicle passed its MOT on 12 October 2023, directly following a failure recorded the previous day for excessive exhaust emissions, a severely worn nearside rear tyre below legal limits, and an excessively worn offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint. The overall trend shows consistent repeat failures year after year, demonstrating that major safety and running gear items frequently reach critical wear limits before corrective work is undertaken to secure certification. With 149,151 miles recorded over approximately 17 years, the vehicle has accumulated roughly 8,770 miles annually, which aligns with expected moderate usage for a Mondeo of this vintage. The testing record shows consistent yearly mileage accumulation without prolonged periods of storage or significant gaps in use. While this regular operation prevents issues associated with long-term stagnation, sustained mileage of this magnitude naturally causes progressive wear on chassis components, drivetrain mountings, and exhaust hardware, as reflected in the historical test records. Buyers must carefully evaluate the engine and exhaust systems during a physical demonstration. Given historical major failures for out-of-spec exhaust emissions and a split diesel particulate filter pipe that leaked fumes into the cabin, inspect under the bonnet and around the underside exhaust joints for soot accumulation, blowing gases, or visible smoke during acceleration. During the test drive, verify that the engine management lamp illuminates upon ignition and clears fully once running. Pay close attention to the braking system as well, testing for pedal pulsation, rear-end grinding, or weak handbrake holding power, noting that previous tests flagged severely weakened rear brake discs and parking brake efficiency below half of the required limit. The running gear also warrants close inspection based on a documented history of broken rear coil springs, seriously leaking front shock absorbers, and worn suspension linkages. Drive the vehicle over rough road surfaces, speed bumps, and through quick direction changes, listening specifically for heavy knocking or metallic clunks from the front suspension and observing for excess body float over crests. Check all front shock absorber bodies visually for misting or fluid contamination. Finally, inspect the nearside wing mirror housing for physical looseness, confirm all position and registration lamps function correctly, and measure tyre tread across each axle to ensure legal compliance.