2009 Ford Mondeo 2.0L Diesel · EX09 MOU

The most recent DVSA examination recorded on 6 June 2024 returned a Pass, although the same date also produced a Fail entry, suggesting the vehicle was presented twice that day with defects remedied between tests. The Pass carries five advisories covering both front seatbelt webbings showing slight damage or fraying, light oil misting on all four shock absorbers, and corrosion on both rear coil springs. When reviewed against the earlier 2023 pass, where rear coil spring wear, front shock oil misting, deteriorating anti-roll bar linkage dust covers, a nearside front tyre worn close to the legal limit and a slightly noisy offside front wheel bearing were already noted, the picture is one of progressive suspension and underbody deterioration rather than improvement. The 2021 test flagged general suspension component corrosion and another anti-roll bar linkage dust cover issue, while the 2019 entry recorded a Fail for an excessively worn nearside rear suspension arm pin or bush alongside corroded rear coil springs and corroded front and rear sub-frames. Taken together, the trend is stable in terms of pass status but clearly worsening in terms of structural and suspension condition, with corrosion advisories persisting and expanding across multiple test cycles. With 208,491 miles recorded on a 2009 vehicle, this Mondeo has covered approximately 12,264 miles per year on average, which is broadly average for its age and a useful indicator that it has been a working vehicle rather than one left standing. There are no unusually long gaps in the MOT history that would suggest extended periods of inactivity, although the intervals between tests are somewhat irregular, ranging from less than two months in 2019 to over eighteen months between 2023 and 2024. Sustained high mileage of this nature will accelerate wear on consumables such as brake discs, pads, tyres, drive belts and engine mounts, and will also place additional load on the clutch, gearbox and turbocharger if fitted. Buyers should interpret the mileage honestly rather than dismiss it, as a well-maintained high-mileage car can be perfectly sound, but one with deferred servicing at this level is far more likely to develop expensive drivetrain or suspension faults. The most pressing items to inspect physically relate to the persistent suspension and corrosion advisories. The shock absorbers have been showing oil misting since at least 2021, and while this was advisory rather than failure material, oil loss indicates seal degradation that will progress to reduced damping efficiency; on a test drive listen for clonking or knocking over bumps and observe whether the vehicle continues to oscillate excessively after undulations. The rear coil springs were noted as worn in 2023 and corroded in both 2024 and 2019, which on a Mondeo of this age often leads to eventual fracture; listen for any metallic rattle when reversing over a kerb or driveway and inspect the springs visually for cracks. The offside front wheel bearing was slightly noisy in 2023 and warrants a road test listening for a hum that changes with steering input or load, as replacement at this mileage is entirely plausible. Corrosion to sub-frames, suspension arms and underbody components flagged in 2019, 2020 and 2021 should be examined with the vehicle on a ramp if possible, paying particular attention to the rear trailing arm pins or bushes, the front sub-frame mounting points and the general floor and sill condition, as unchecked corrosion here can quickly escalate from advisory to structural failure. The front seatbelt webbing fraying recorded on the latest test must also be addressed before purchase, as damaged webbing compromises restraint effectiveness and would be a future failure item. Beyond the recorded defects, a buyer should carry out standard age and mileage related checks appropriate to a 17 year old vehicle with substantial use. Inspect the tyres not only for tread depth but for sidewall cracking and perishing, which is common on older rubber regardless of mileage, and check the spare or inflation kit. Examine the brake discs for lipping and corrosion around the hub area, and verify that the calipers are releasing correctly rather than binding, which can cause uneven pad wear and pulling under braking. Under the bonnet, look for signs of fluid leaks from the power steering, coolant and engine oil areas, check the condition and age of the 12V battery, and confirm when the coolant, brake fluid and automatic or manual transmission oil were last replaced, as these fluids degrade with time even when mileage is modest. Finally, request evidence of regular servicing stamps in the service book and any corresponding invoices, and consider an independent compression test or diagnostic scan to confirm engine health given the high indicated mileage.