2009 Ford Focus 1.6L Diesel · EX59 VFP

A pattern of recurring front axle and tyre wear defines this Ford Focus's MOT history, with advisories and failures clustering around the front brakes, front coil spring, and front tyres on multiple consecutive tests. The most recent recorded event was a clean pass on 4 October 2022 with no advisories or defects noted, which on the surface suggests the immediate issues from the previous two test cycles had been addressed, though the absence of MOT data after October 2022 means the intervening period of nearly four years is unverified. Prior to that, the 2020 test cycle recorded a major failure for a significantly worn front brake disc accompanied by a front axle brake imbalance, while the 2019 cycle produced a major failure for a fractured offside front coil spring. The 2021 pass also carried advisories for nearside rear tyre wear and deformation on the inner edge, and an earlier PRS failure for an incorrectly fitted headlamp bulb. The overall trajectory through the recorded period is mixed: two major mechanical failures (brake disc and coil spring) within three consecutive annual tests, partially offset by clean passes in 2018, 2019, and 2022 once the relevant repairs were carried out. With 121,140 miles recorded across approximately seventeen years of life, the vehicle averages roughly 7,126 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a car of this age and not in itself a red flag. There are no unusual single-year mileage jumps or extended standing periods evident from the testing pattern, as annual tests have been carried out consistently from 2018 through 2022. At this annual mileage, the recorded wear items are consistent with steady use: the front brake disc wear, fractured coil spring, and recurring tyre edge wear are all age- and mileage-related consumable failures rather than indications of an unusual usage profile. The absence of post-2022 testing on the public record should be viewed neutrally, as it could simply reflect the test cycle aligning away from October 2025, though a buyer should satisfy themselves that the vehicle has remained in active use and tested during the gap. For a prospective buyer, the front axle components deserve the closest physical scrutiny on a test drive and inspection. A fractured offside front coil spring has already been recorded, and on this model the second spring typically follows within a relatively short mileage window; listen for sharp metallic clunks or rattles from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, and check visually for any sign of the spring sitting lower on one side or uneven ride height at the front. The front brake discs and pads should be inspected for lipping on the disc edge, binding calipers that cause pulling under braking, and pedal feel that is either spongy or requires excessive travel. The headlamp aim failure noted in 2021 relates specifically to the bulb being incorrectly seated rather than a reflector or alignment issue, so confirm both headlamp beams are level and produce a sharp, flat cutoff with no scatter to the nearside kerb. The persistent nearside rear tyre wear and inner edge deformation advisories from 2021 are worth investigating more closely, as irregular rear tyre wear on a Focus can point to worn rear suspension bushes, a bent rear axle beam, or perished rear shock absorbers. On a test drive, listen for clonking from the rear over undulations, and check whether the rear end feels unsettled or floats over undulating B-roads, which would suggest the rear dampers are past their service life. With the vehicle now approaching seventeen years of age and 121,140 miles, secondary items not flagged in the MOT record but worth a physical check include coolant and oil leaks from the engine and radiator, condition of the cam belt service interval if not independently verified, and any corrosion beginning to form around the wheel arches, subframe mounting points, and brake pipe runs along the underbody, as Focus chassis of this generation are known to develop surface rust in these areas once the original underseal deteriorates.