2009 Ford Fiesta 1.4L Diesel · AL09 MOT

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance history indicates a pattern of reactive repairs rather than proactive upkeep. While the most recent test in January 2026 at 171,246 miles resulted in a pass, the vehicle failed the initial inspection on four distinct safety defects. The trend remains stable in terms of basic operation, yet the recurring failures regarding lighting, suspension, and tyre fitment suggest that the owner only addresses mechanical issues when they prevent the vehicle from passing its annual test. At 171,246 miles over 17 years, the Fiesta averages approximately 10,000 miles per year, which aligns with typical UK usage for an older passenger car. The data shows consistent use, with roughly 13,900 miles driven between the 2024 and 2025 tests, and another 3,900 miles between January 2025 and January 2026. This regularity suggests the vehicle is used regularly, which is generally beneficial for preventing internal corrosion but places significant wear on the drivetrain and suspension components. A buyer must specifically inspect the front suspension assembly, as the tester flagged an excessively worn offside front arm ball joint in January 2026. The previous failure involving mismatched tyre sizes on the nearside axle is a red flag for poor general maintenance, which can negatively affect handling and cause uneven tyre wear. Additionally, the offside rear door failure to open from the outside noted in 2025 indicates potential mechanical issues with the latch or linkage mechanism that should be checked for continued binding. Given the high mileage, a thorough physical check for structural rust on the sills and wheel arches is essential, as these are common failure points for this generation of Fiesta.