2009 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · CE09 VBK

A pattern of brake and undercarriage deterioration sits at the centre of this 2009 Ford Fiesta's MOT record, with the 2018 test standing out as the most serious episode in its history. On 6 July 2018 the vehicle was failed on both nearside and offside front inner brake pads, which were recorded as less than 1.5 mm thick and categorised as Dangerous, alongside matching Dangerous defects on both front brake discs where the inner surfaces were described as seriously weakened by corrosion. A Major defect was also recorded for the offside front brake pipe being excessively corroded to the flexi hose, and the vehicle subsequently passed on 10 July 2018 with advisories covering an exhaust leak at the silencer and an offside rear tyre. A second failure followed on 12 November 2019, this time for a non-functioning offside front headlamp on dipped beam and a binding offside rear service brake, accompanied by advisories on the front anti-roll bar linkage and a corroded nearside rear coil spring. The most recent test on 28 October 2021 returned a Pass, but advisories for both rear tyres being worn on the edge indicate that the pattern of component wear has not entirely subsided. The recorded mileage of 82,548 miles across roughly seventeen years equates to an average of about 4,850 miles per year, which is notably low for a vehicle of this age and suggests either extended periods of stationary use or predominantly short-trip driving. Testing history shows gaps of around twelve months between most annual examinations, with no records prior to 2016, meaning the earliest portion of the vehicle's life is unverified by MOT data. The mileage climbed from the 2016 test through to 2021 in broadly consistent annual increments, with no dramatic jumps or anomalies that would suggest clocking or extraordinary journeys. Low annual usage of this nature tends to concentrate wear on components that suffer from infrequent operation rather than high-mileage fatigue, particularly brake discs and callipers that are prone to surface corrosion when left standing, suspension bushes and coil springs that corrode through environmental exposure, and brake pipes and fuel lines that oxidise over time irrespective of mileage. A prospective buyer should treat the brake and undercarriage areas as the priority items for physical inspection. The 2018 failures on both front inner brake pads and both front brake discs, followed by a 2016 advisory noting the same inner discs as deeply lipped and scored, point to a chronic issue with front brake condition, and any test drive should include several firm stops from higher speed to check for pedal pulsation, pulling to one side, or grinding noises that would suggest renewed disc warping or pad wear. The recorded binding offside rear service brake from 2019 is worth verifying by ensuring the vehicle rolls freely with the handbrake released and that the rear does not drag when warm, as a sticking calliper or seized slider can quickly ruin a new set of pads. The advisory on the front track rod end ball joint and the anti-roll bar linkage ball joint suggests the front steering and stabiliser components have been gradually loosening, so listen for clonks or knocking from the front suspension over speed bumps and during full-lock manoeuvres, and check for uneven front tyre wear that would indicate tie-rod or ball-joint play. The advisories for corroded brake and fuel pipes, the corroded rear coil spring, and the previously corroded front brake pipe leading to the flexi hose all underline the importance of a thorough underbody examination on a ramp or over a pit. Particular attention should be paid to the offside front brake line near its flexible section, the rear fuel pipe retaining clips, and the nearside rear coil spring seat, where rust perforation could allow fluid or gas leaks. The recurring rear tyre edge-wear advisories across three separate tests suggest a persistent geometry issue or consistent driving pattern, so check the rear tyres for inner or outer shoulder wear and consider a four-wheel alignment check. Finally, verify the dipped beam headlamp operation on both sides, including the offside unit that failed in 2019, and confirm there are no dashboard warning lights remaining that could indicate the binding brake was not fully rectified at the subsequent pass.