2009 Ford CI 2.5L Diesel · EU09 HSF

The latest official DVSA examination on 19 June 2026 resulted in a fail for a nearside front headlamp aim recorded as too low, although a subsequent pass was issued on the same date, indicating the defect was rectified and re-tested successfully within the appointment. Across the recorded MOT history spanning from 2019 through to the present, the vehicle has consistently passed without any advisories or recurring defects logged. The lone failure item relates to a simple headlamp alignment setting rather than any structural, mechanical, or wear-related concern, suggesting the overall maintenance trend is stable and the vehicle has been kept in compliant roadworthy condition throughout the documented testing period. The recorded mileage of 21,174 miles on a 17-year-old vehicle equates to an annual average of roughly 1,246 miles, which is exceptionally low and strongly suggests periods of significant inactivity or very limited light use. Such low annual mileage typically indicates that the vehicle has either been used sparingly for short journeys or has stood unused for extended intervals. While low mileage reduces wear on major drivetrain components, it raises particular concerns regarding the condition of time-sensitive items such as rubber and electrical components, which degrade with calendar age regardless of distance covered. The absence of recorded mileage between the 2019 test and the 2021 test, and the relatively modest increases between subsequent tests, further supports the likelihood of long standing periods during which mechanical components may have been affected by inactivity rather than wear. Given the very low usage profile, particular physical inspection attention should be directed towards the condition of the tyres. Despite potentially retaining significant tread depth due to minimal use, a 2009-manufactured tyre will almost certainly require replacement purely on age grounds, as the sidewalls will have suffered perishing and cracking from UV exposure and natural rubber degradation over seventeen years. Examine the sidewalls closely for hairline cracks and Ozone deterioration, and verify the DOT date codes to confirm whether any tyres still fitted are of comparable age to the vehicle. Likewise, inspect the brake discs and calipers thoroughly, as prolonged standing frequently leads to surface corrosion on the discs and seized or binding caliper pistons, which manifest as a heavy brake pedal, uneven braking effort, or pulling to one side under braking. During the test drive, listen for any scraping or grinding from the front brakes and feel for brake pedal pulsation that would indicate warped or heavily corroded discs requiring machining or replacement. Additional checks appropriate to a low-mileage vehicle of this age include a thorough inspection of all underbonket fluids, as brake fluid, coolant, and automatic transmission fluid if applicable will all have exceeded their recommended service intervals based on calendar age and will be hygroscopic and degraded regardless of low mileage. The 12-volt battery should be load-tested, as batteries that have sat partially discharged or have reached the end of their typical five to seven year service life are a common cause of non-start conditions in seldom-used vehicles. Inspect the suspension thoroughly, as rubber bushes, coil springs, and anti-roll bar links can suffer from dry rot and seizing when a vehicle stands for prolonged periods, and listen for clonking or knocking over uneven road surfaces. Finally, verify the service history stamps to confirm that annual or biennial oil and filter changes have been carried out regardless of mileage, as engines used predominantly for short trips accumulate moisture in the oil and benefit from more frequent changes than the mileage alone would suggest.