2009 Ford Focus 1.6L Petrol · CN09 KCF

A 2009 Ford Focus with this MOT history presents a notably consistent picture of roadworthiness, passing every annual test without a single advisory or failure logged across the most recent five examinations, with the 2025-08-27 pass being the latest and showing no defects recorded at all. A clean five-year run with zero advisories on a seventeen-year-old vehicle is uncommon and points to either a car that has covered minimal mileage between tests or one whose wearing components have simply not yet reached MOT failure thresholds. While the absence of recorded advisories is reassuring on paper, it is worth bearing in mind that the MOT is a minimum-standard check rather than a comprehensive mechanical inspection, so the lack of advisories does not preclude the existence of developing wear that has not yet crossed the pass/fail line. The overall trend is one of stable, untroubled roadworthiness with no evidence of deteriorating mechanical condition across consecutive annuals. With 85,153 recorded miles spread across roughly seventeen years, this Focus has averaged around 5,000 miles annually, which is firmly in low-mileage territory for a vehicle of this age. Such modest annual accumulation suggests a car that has likely seen a mix of shorter urban journeys and periods of relative inactivity rather than sustained long-distance motorway use. Mechanically, low annual mileage can be a double-edged sword: components such as brake discs, callipers, and rear brake mechanisms can suffer from surface rust and seizing through underuse, while ageing rubber and polymer items like drive belts, suspension bushes, and engine mounting rubbers can deteriorate more through age and heat cycling than through mileage accumulation. The mileage gaps between tests are broadly consistent at around 5,000 to 7,000 miles per year, with no evidence of a long off-road lay-up that might raise particular concerns about dormant corrosion or perished components. For a prospective buyer, the absence of flagged items means the usual Focus-specific age-related wear points warrant particular attention during a physical inspection and test drive. Given the vehicle's age, focus on the rear brake drum mechanisms, as sticking or binding rear calipers and shoes are a known weakness on this model and can manifest as a dragging sensation, pulling to one side under braking, or a burning smell after short journeys. The suspension should be exercised over uneven road surfaces to listen for knocking from the lower suspension joints and anti-roll bar links, both common advisories on older Focuses, and to feel for any clonking over speed humps which could indicate worn front strut top mounts or droplinks. The clutch and gearbox should be checked for smooth engagement and any judder or crunching, while the engine should be observed for oil leaks from the sump gasket and cam cover, which become more prevalent with age on the Sigma and Zetec engines fitted to this generation. Beyond the mechanical inspection points, a thorough test drive should include careful attention to the steering for any vagueness or clonking through the rack, and the cooling system should be checked for leaks or weeping from the radiator and hoses, as plastic components become brittle with age regardless of mileage. The exhaust should be inspected for corrosion at the rear silencer and mounting points, and a smoke check from the tailpipe during start-up and under load can reveal tired valve stem seals, which is a known issue on higher-mileage Focus engines. Given the low annual mileage, it would also be prudent to check the condition of any infrequently replaced items such as the cambelt service history, the age of the battery, and the condition of the tyres, as low-mileage cars can sit on ageing rubber that hardens and loses grip. Despite the spotless MOT record, a pre-sale inspection by a qualified independent garage remains highly advisable to identify any age-related deterioration that falls outside the scope of the standard MOT test.