2009 Ford Focus 1.6L Petrol · CE09 WDS

The vehicle currently presents as roadworthy, but the maintenance history reveals a significant decline in structural and mechanical integrity. While the most recent test in October 2024 at 131,459 miles passed with only a minor worn offside front suspension arm bush, this follows a catastrophic failure in October 2023. The trend suggests that after years of relatively clean records, the vehicle has entered a period of rapid material fatigue, indicating it is likely reaching the end of its economical life regarding structural components. The mileage pattern is consistent with a vehicle of this age, averaging approximately 7,700 miles per year. Between 2014 and 2021, the car maintained a clean record with no defects noted for several years. However, the interval between 109,929 miles in 2021 and 121,591 miles in 2023 saw a sudden surge in mechanical issues. The accumulation of roughly 12,000 miles in that two-year period did not cause the failures but rather exposed the underlying age-related degradation. A buyer must prioritize a thorough physical inspection of the chassis and sub-frames. The 2023 failure highlighted excessive corrosion on the nearside rear outer vehicle structure near a body mounting sill, which is a critical safety concern. Although the sub-frames were noted as corroded but not seriously weakened in 2022, the subsequent structural failure in 2023 suggests the rust progressed aggressively. The fractured offside rear coil spring and play in the inner rack arm also indicate that the suspension geometry is under significant stress. Further attention is required for the engine management system, as the recorded an inoperative Malfunction Indicator Lamp in late 2023. While the vehicle passed shortly thereafter, the root cause of the electronic fault remains unaddressed. Given the history of detached wings and snapped exhaust brackets, the vehicle shows a pattern of reactive rather than proactive maintenance. Any prospective buyer should verify that the structural repairs made following the 2023 failure were professional and permanent.